BURST
Four people have been arrested and could face charges, with police alleging they stole more than $200,000 from a Vancouver casino.
The investigation was launched May 4 when the provincial government’s Independent Gambling Control Office raised concerns about suspected cheating at Parq Casino in downtown Vancouver. Officials did not say how the cheating was detected or what game the individuals were playing.
Police were brought in within hours, including the illegal gambling unit of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit.
A day later, two men and two women were arrested in Vancouver. A search of the individuals uncovered about $330,000 in cash, which investigators believe are the proceeds of crime.
All four have since been released.
“We do believe that these suspects were travelling across Canada and across the border and we are liaising with those jurisdictions,” said Sgt. Sarbjit K. Sangha with the CFSEU.
Police are recommending charges of cheating at play, possession of proceeds obtained by crime and uttering forged documents/impersonation.
“In this case, early detection, real-time monitoring, effective information sharing, and co-ordinated action between IGCO investigators and our policing partners enabled a rapid response that led to arrests and the recovery of suspected proceeds,” said Sam MacLeod, the general manager of the control office
“We will continue to support police in addressing organized criminal activity targeting B.C.’s gambling sector.”
The control office was launched earlier this year to replace the gaming policy and enforcement branch as the province’s independent gambling regulator. The office is responsible for monitoring and safeguarding gambling in B.C., and providing oversight to the B.C. Lottery Corporation, charitable gambling and horse racing.