NEWMARKET, ON, Feb. 4, 2013 /CNW/ - Investigators working in the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit have arrested six men for numerous offences related to illegal gaming following the execution of a search warrant in the City of Markham on Sunday, February 3, 2013.
The lengthy, joint-forces investigation revealed that large-scale illegal gaming was taking place on an off-shore website called Platinum Sports Book.com. The website, allegedly being run by organized crime, is host to thousands of gamblers whose wagers result in millions of dollars in profit for organized crime. The warrant was executed at an invitation-only annual gambling event for the website gamers, held on Super Bowl Sunday.
On February 3, 2013, at approximately 7 p.m., officers from several CFSEU-member services executed a search warrant and found 3,000 people participating in an illegal gaming event held at Le Parc Dining and Banquet Ltd., located at 8432 Leslie Street. Using computer terminals supplied by organizers of the event, participants allegedly placed illegal online wagers through the Platinum Sports Book website.
As a result of the warrant, six men were arrested and will be facing numerous gaming offences including Bookmaking, Participating in or Contributing to an Activity of a Criminal Organization, Keeping a Common Betting House and Conspiracy. Police allege these accused are the principles of the Platinum Sports Book website and the ones who are profiting from the illegal gaming. No charges were laid against the people participating in the event as the focus of the investigation continues to be those now accused of profiting from the illegal enterprise.
In addition to the search warrant executed at the event, six additional search warrants were simultaneously executed at the residences of the accused. Ten search warrants were executed at Le Parc and the residences of the accused and more than $2.5 million cash was seized as well as computers, cell phones and business records.
Illegal gaming sites are run by organized crime groups operating clandestinely in our communities. The revenues generated through illegal gaming are often funnelled back into other illegal activities.
"The presence of organized crime groups brings an element of criminality to our communities that is not acceptable," said Acting Superintendent Keith Finn, Officer in Charge of the Greater Toronto Area CFSEU. "Illegal gaming, drug trafficking, prostitution, intimidation and weapons offences, among others, puts our citizens at risk and members of the CFSEU are committed to ensuring people committing these crimes are held responsible."
The CFSEU, a multi-jurisdictional operation which includes the RCMP, the Ontario Provincial Police, York Regional Police, the Toronto Police Service, Peel Regional Police and the Durham Regional Police Service, is specifically tasked with the mandate to expose, investigate, prosecute and dismantle organized criminal enterprises.
SOURCE: Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit
Constable Blair McQuillan
Media Relations Officer
York Regional Police
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Sergeant Richard Rollings
Media Relations Officer
RCMP
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