Florida’s continues to dismantle illegal gambling operations, with one of its largest hauls to date involving close to $1 million in cash and 1,000 slot machines
Florida’s cops have cultivated an unfailing reflex to spot, investigate and bust illegal gambling operations. Small or big, several such illicit activities have been brought to heel by the work of dedicated law enforcement officers.
New Major Illegal Bust Goes After Sprawling “Arcade” Network
Now, though, The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PSBO) has something to be particularly happy about. A gargantuan illegal gambling ring with operations stretching from Palm Beach County to Treasure Cost, and involving hundreds of slot machines.
The sprawling network of illegal gambling venues led to the eventual seizure of $900,000 worth of cash. Police were able to also confiscate more than 1,000 illegal gambling machines – such as slots and modified arcades.
The PBSO has become known for the witty monikers it has been giving its operations, and the latest investigation and subsequent bust was called “Operation Fools Treasure.” However, illegal gambling is not the only accusation levelled against the organization, who also face charges of money laundering.
Police said that multiple venues were busted throughout the operation, with each contributing a small portion of the total tally of $900,000 seized and more than 1,000 slot machines confiscated.
The locations were nondescript and looked regular from the outside, and they were located near other, legitimate businesses, such as a dentist’s office and a dry cleaner. One of the venues, VIP Sweepstakes, was crucial for the investigators.
By launching a probe into it, police officers were soon able to establish a connection between the gambling business and other of its offshoots – Treasure Hunters in Fort Pierce, Pharaoh’s Treasure in Vero Beach, as well as a third location in Zephyrhills.
Police would visit these places undercover, investigating and observing, collecting impressions from the businesses. The venues operated on a cash-only basis, as they didn’t want to leave a paper trial. However, once police started to circulate on the floors, it was only a matter of time to round up the culprits.
Patrons were offered reload cards which were validated and charged by the establishment and used for subsequent withdrawals. All were processed in cash, and all of this was illegal under Florida state law.
Suspected Apprehended, Money Transactions Identified
Running the list of suspects, the police identified as J.B., E.S. and J.S. There were also D.R. and N.R who were identified as the owners of JJE Technologies LLC, which is responsible for Treasure Hunt Arcade.
Police were also able to uncover a money laundering operation tied to two LLCs. Bank accounts held by JJE Technologies LLC and SWFL Center LLC were specifically named, with $763,196 deposited into the accounts in the West Palm Beach arcade’s accounts.
The Vero Beach arcade also deposited $527,010 into its accounts, and $571,414 was deposited into the Fort Pierce arcade’s accounts, pointing to sprawling money laundering operations. Another company, Grandview Products was accused of supplying the operations with their illegal slot machines.
