Police crack down on gambling in Saarland.
A comprehensive police operation took place in Saarland, targeting suspected organized gang crime tied to illegal gambling. Police apprehended several individuals and one alleged police officer aiding in the illicit activities. Interior Minister Klaus Bouillon reported success in the crackdown on illegal gambling.
Collaboration with various law enforcement entities
The raid against illicit gambling is not unusual in both Austria and Germany. In this instance, approximately 400 officers participated in the operation, searching over 40 properties. 3 suspects were arrested and numerous illegal gaming devices and records were confiscated. The investigation involved the Saarland-based suspects and collaborators from neighboring states.
Searches were carried out at locations in Großrosseln-Naßweiler, Vöklingen, Neunkirchen, and Perl. These efforts were strengthened by collaboration between police forces in Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg, with specialized units and financial investigators taking part. Private homes, workplaces, and businesses were targeted as authorities amassed cell phones, machines, and a considerable amount of documents during their efforts.
The authorities allege the individuals seized are involved in running unlawful casinos and operating the slot machines. They are being accused of committing organized crime, commercial fraud, fraudulent use of computers, and other offenses. The suspects are said to have manipulated the software of slot machines so that they paid out less frequently, resulting in substantial financial losses among gamblers. The police believe other people may be implicated in the case, possibly including foreign nationals. The investigation continues.
August 2020 Raid in North Rhine-Westphalia
In August 2020, authorities undertook a significant raid in North Rhine-Westphalia, focusing on the illegal activities of Arab family clans. Their operations were funded by illegal gambling halls, manipulated machines, tax evasion, and extortion of protection money. Main targets included suspected gambling establishments on Tempelhof and Heinrich-Sense-Weg, notably in Essen-Kray. About 300 police officers were involved in the operation.
Investigators recovered nine manipulated slot machines in five locations, along with security flaws in 21 remaining machines. The clans were also observed engaging in various other illegal activities during the multifaceted investigation.
Officer under investigation in Saarland
It remains unclear if this Saarland case deals with organized crime due to suspicions around a police officer from the Völklingen police station. The officer has been detained to avoid impeding the ongoing operation. The policewoman's private residence and work location have been examined, but the extent of her involvement in the activities is not clear.
The police uncovered two casinos' seized gaming machines in Naßweiler, and these devices will undergo analysis by computer specialists. The authorities cautioned that the damage's full extent will be disclosed following the examination.
Largest police operation in Wels, Austria
A similar operation in Wels, Austria recently uncovered 750 illegal gaming machines in a warehouse. The effort involved 140 officers from the Federal Criminal Police Office, State Criminal Police Office, financial police, tax investigation department, EKO Cobra special unit, and a canine squadron.
During the raid, investigators also found two pistols, cell phones, laptops, storage media, and 270 boxes of potentially incriminating documents. The lethal weaponry and cash were worth millions. Seized gaming machines were used as casinos' supplies in locations where previous confiscations had already transpired.
Wels is considered a stronghold of unlawful gambling, with illicit activities in Vienna and Salzburg also under heavy police scrutiny. In September 2020, Operation Jackpot occurred, with 177 confiscated slot machines, large amounts of cash, and any valuables obtained from crimes. 320 officers took part in the operation. Additionally, a poker room was closed in Vienna in the days preceding Operation Jackpot. The machines found there were tampered.
Wels' raid uncovered a long gun and substantial sums of cash. Furthermore, authorities discovered cell phones, laptops, storage media accompanying potentially fraudulent company documents. Authorities emphasized the ongoing nature of the investigation, with more details to be disclosed upon further examination of the seized equipment.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
