Police in Trenton NJ dismantle illegal gambling ring

• Law enforcement agencies in the City of Trenton, New Jersey, conducted an 11-month-long investigation into illegal gambling
• Raiding 30 local businesses, the authorities seized more than 70 illegal gambling devices
• A suspected ringleader was detained by law enforcement in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A lengthy investigation resulted in raids against local businesses over illegal gambling.

The gambling crackdown had taken place in New Jersey’s capital city, Trenton, where law enforcement simultaneously executed search warrants.

More than 30 businesses raided, dozens of gambling devices seized

Detectives from the Trenton Police Department’s Alcohol and Beverage Control Unit, together with the New Jersey State Police Financial Crimes Unit, conducted an extensive investigation that focused on illegal gambling activities throughout the City of Trenton.

During the course of the probe, law enforcement identified multiple local businesses where illegal gambling devices had been positioned.

On Monday, officers with the New Jersey State Police, as well as members of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Trenton, Hopewell, Ewing Township, West Windsor, as well as Robbinsville Police Departments, executed search warrants.

In the operation against illegal gambling, the authorities found and seized more than 70 slot-style gambling machines.

Those machines were "being utilized for personal gain in over 30 business establishments," a press release by the Trenton Police Department reads.

"The business owners were issued complaint summonses for maintaining a Gambling Resort or Online Gambling Resort and possessing gambling devices," the press release further reveals.

The Trenton Police Department added: "This is a reminder that illegal gambling throughout the City of Trenton will not be tolerated in any form."

Police arrest suspected ringleader in Pennsylvania

The investigation into illegal gambling across the City of Trenton identified a 33-year-old Philadelphia, Pennsylvania man as a prime suspect.

The suspected ringleader was consequently detained at his residence by the Philadelphia Police Department.

At his private residence, officers found and seized half a pound of marijuana, as well as three semi-automatic handguns.

The man was arrested on several drug and weapons-related charges in Pennsylvania.

What’s more, he faced charges by the Trenton Police for Maintenance of a Gambling Resort or Online Gambling Resort, Possession of Gambling Devices, Promoting Gambling and Money Laundering.

It is worth noticing that charges are merely accusations before a suspect is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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