A Houston gambling den was raided by local police, seizing $9,000 and charging one person.
Detectives from Constable Mark Herman’s Regulatory Enforcement Unit responded to anonymous tips pointing to a location believed to be facilitating the illegal activity.
The Houston store served as a front for a gambling den
News of the bankruptcy was posted on Harris County’s Facebook page PageIt says the store in the 900 block of FM 1960 Rd W in Houston, Texas was the subject of the police raid.
The social media post was captioned, “ILLEGAL GAMBLING OPERATION TERMINATED BY CONSTABLE MARK HERMAN’S OFFICE!” displayed. was emblazoned in capital letters.
“During the operation, officers confiscated over $9,000 in cash gambling proceeds, numerous illegal gambling devices and documentation evidencing illegal gambling activities,” the post said.
Phong Thanh Tu was publicly named as a suspect arrested as part of the coordinated operation for alleged “possession of gambling devices/equipment/paraphernalia.”
This is a repeat offense, the Regulatory Enforcement Unit says, as Thanh Tu was arrested five years earlier in 2020 for the same reason.
“Illegal gambling establishments attract a wide range of criminal activity and pose a serious threat to community safety,” the Constable’s Office said in reference to illegal locations.
After obtaining the search warrant for the alleged gaming location, officers from Constable Herman’s office enforced the order to search the premises.
The post concluded that “these operations violate the peace and dignity of the state of Texas and that their proceeds often fund dangerous criminal enterprises.”
Illegal Gambling in Texas
Illegal gambling in the Lone Star State has long been quickly combated by local law enforcement.
As we reported, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Javier Salazar reported one Arrest of 22 peoplesixty slot machines and $67,350 in a similar coordinated bust.
Another case investigated at the federal level involved Dominga “Penny” Ledesma, who pleaded guilty to the charge in connection with operating illegal gambling establishments throughout South Texas, along with gaming parlor owner Rene Gamez.
This elaborate web of misinformation and front companies resulted in the defendant being sentenced to 18 months in prison for using the information of deceased persons to process $US21 million (US$21,000,000) in cash transactions related to the El Toro Game Room.
Featured Image: Harris County Police Department
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