As part of an aggressive crackdown against illegal gambling activities in Florida, twelve individuals now stand accused of unlawful gaming operations after dismantlement of an extensive gaming ring based in Jacksonville and operating across 10 locations involving various forms of illicit gambling activities.
Massive Haul of Gambling Devices and Assets
An exhaustive investigation led to the seizure of 263 gambling machines, an estimated $2.5 million cash sum, 15 vehicles estimated at being valued at an estimated value of $1.7 million each, two residential properties and an assortment of luxury jewelry and watches. Furthermore, proceeds from gambling operations were being diverted through numerous bank and credit union accounts into which profits from this operation had accumulated large sums of money.
Robin Rukab Azzam, one of several individuals charged, allegedly managed the gambling ring from its inception to completion using licensed gaming facilities to launder illicit funds. She served as manager alongside her husband George Azzam; they played an essential part in overseeing its management as one of its central figures; also implicated were Ryan Strickland, Derek Fleming Majd Dabbas Jerry Bass Willbert Bannister among many others who may have played minor roles.
At issue here are charges related to racketeering and illegal gambling that led to detention in Duval County jail earlier this month. Prompted into legal prominence by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s 32-page complaint filing this past February, these accusations stem from an ongoing investigative effort led by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office along with various agencies.
Operation Fish & Chips
Operation Fish & Chips,” as the investigation came to be known, not only revealed an illegal gambling operation but also connected it with additional criminal activities that included eight robberies and 26 assaults at respective locations; two murders also took place here with tragic security guard deaths occurring on October 3, prompting officials to close several locations by that date.
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters highlighted the achievement during a press conference, saying, “By shutting down illegal gaming locations and seizing criminal proceeds, we remove one accelerant that sparks violence within our community.” Identified locations of this gambling ring now exist across Jacksonville – representing another milestone in Jacksonville’s fight against illegal gambling activities and associated criminality.
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