Melbourne Police Shut Down Two Illegal Casinos, Arrest 29 in Drug Investigation; Three Chinese Nationals in Custody
Melbourne-- Victoria Police announced on October 23 that officers have shut down two illegal casinos and arrested 29 people in an ongoing investigation into alleged illicit drug manufacturing, seizing large quantities of drugs, cash and weapons.
Police said the Clandestine Laboratory Squad, assisted by Taskforce VIPER and the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission, executed search warrants across Carnegie, Box Hill South, Box Hill, South Melbourne and Balwyn North, seizing approximately $600,000 in cash, large amounts of casino chips, illicit tobacco and vapes, seven kilograms of methylamphetamine (ice) allegedly trafficked between Victoria and Western Australia, five kilograms of ketamine, five firearms and other weapons including machetes, tasers, swords and daggers. One illegal casino operated on Rosstown Road in Carnegie, where officers on August 15 found several rooms set up for gambling and 15 people inside; a second casino on Middleborough Road in Box Hill South was raided on October 20, when two alleged staff members were arrested at the scene.
The police release named several people who have been charged, including two Chinese nationals: a 27-year-old man charged with possessing methylamphetamine, possessing prohibited weapons and trafficking tobacco and vapes, and a 43-year-old man arrested at the Box Hill South casino and charged with dealing with property suspected of being proceeds of crime and being found in a place provided for unauthorised gambling. Both remain in custody. ABC Australia reported that those in custody include three Chinese nationals and two Malaysian nationals. Police expect to charge more people by summons over alleged drug, proceeds-of-crime and illegal-gambling offences, and the investigation is ongoing.
Detective Senior Sergeant Carlie Kohler said dismantling the casinos helps take drugs and weapons off the streets, and police urged anyone with information about illicit drug activity to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. (Reporting based on the Victoria Police media release of October 23 and ABC Australia.)
Source: GSM · USA
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 澳大利亚墨尔本Carnegie的Koornang Road华人商圈街景。图片来源：Wikimedia Commons，Philip Mallis摄，CC BY-SA 4.0授权
