Police in Düsseldorf confiscate gambling device, uncover drugs, and gather evidence in potential murder investigation.
On Friday, officers in Düsseldorf conducted searches at several bars and pubs due to suspicions of illegal gambling, as per news reports. The authorities are optimistic about the outcome, even without substantial evidence, and are determined to combat the black market.
A murder case triggered the investigation
As part of this coordinated operation, approximately 15 law enforcement officers, along with the public order office and the local government, questioned around 60 people at various bars and pubs, according to WDR.
One reason for this action was the murder of a Düsseldorf pub owner, which happened on April 28, 2024. The deceased man, a former gangster rapper, was apparently assassinated in front of his establishment.
The authorities believed the victim had connections to the gambling scene, so they sought additional evidence there. It's possible he had gambling debts.
Only one slot machine confiscated
Miriam Brauns, Chief of Police in Düsseldorf, gave some insight into their investigation methods. She noted that it's easy to spot establishments where gambling takes place due to tell-tale signs:
There are cameras above every table. So it's clear this is not a normal bar or restaurant. No one is being monitored by three cameras when they're just having a drink. - Miriam Brauns, Chief of Police in Düsseldorf, source: WDR
Ultimately, only one slot machine with no money was taken during the raid. The police also discovered drugs, including ecstasy and cocaine. Whether the investigators managed to gather crucial information in the murder case was not disclosed.
Illegally gambling often colludes with other crimes
According to Brauns, this case illustrates the fact that illegal gambling is often associated with other crimes, such as money laundering and drug trafficking.
However, Brauns voiced her disagreement with the decriminalization of gambling pushed by Justice Minister Marco Buschmann, which rests on the claim of accompanying crime.
Buschmann asserts that the Penal Code provides sufficient grounds to investigate the related crime of illegal gambling. Meanwhile, illegal gambling itself should be reclassified as an administrative infraction, which has received mixed reactions from the Düsseldorf police chief.
Düsseldorf police plan to intensify control efforts
This isn't the first time police in Düsseldorf have conducted such searches this year. In March, they discovered a significant number of gambling machines during searches at Düsseldorf bars. A substantial sum of money was also seized.
Brauns stated that they plan to maintain a consistent approach and even enhance the frequency of their controls in the future. This is a battle against organized crime that needs to be waged resolutely.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
