Several search warrants were executed in the Lower Mainland in late April in connection to a five-month investigation into a suspected illegal gaming house in Maple Ridge.
Multiple police agencies executed the search warrants in Maple Ridge, Coquitlam and Surrey on April 29, which resulted in the arrest of 11 individuals.
They have since been released as the probe continues, but six of the individuals have been banned from casinos in British Columbia as of April 30.
Beyond the arrested, police also seized the following items:
“Illegal gaming houses are not harmless operations – they are often tied to organized crime and bring significant risks to public safety,” says Sgt. Sarbjit K. Sangha via media release.
“These locations can become hubs for violence, exploitation and other criminal activity, putting both patrons and surrounding communities in danger.”
The investigation was led by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia’s Joint Illegal Gaming Investigation Team.
The Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team, the Independent Gambling Control Office, Surrey Police Service, Coquitlam RCMP and Maple Ridge RCMP all assisted with the operations on April 29.
The investigation is ongoing and charges are anticipated.
