Greater Manchester Police (GMP) arrested four people and seized more than £20,000 in cash during raids on four properties in Manchester city center on Monday night, September 21.
The Gambling Commission and Manchester City Council’s Licensing Team supported the operation, which police said forms part of an ongoing investigation into reports of illegal gambling premises in the city.
Officers executed four simultaneous warrants and carried out enforcement activity in Deansgate and other parts of the city center. According to GMP, the operation built on intelligence developed from a previous gambling operation in May, including information obtained from phones seized previously.
Suspects remain in police custody
Two of those arrested were women, both held on suspicion of immigration offenses. One man was arrested on suspicion of money laundering and breaching the Gambling Act for the provision of facilities for gambling without authority. Police arrested a second man on suspicion of licensing offenses because he allegedly ran a late-night takeaway without a license. All four remain in custody.
Police seized further mobile phones along with gambling-related items, including gambling tables, records and account books. Officers also recovered cash worth more than £20,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act, and GMP said it believes the money had been laundered.
Police eye further action on new intelligence
PC Nial Vivian, of the Manchester City Centre Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Our priority is to respond to the needs of our communities and ensure those involved in criminality are brought to justice. This work specifically targets reports of illegal gambling and premises operating without the appropriate licences.
“This joint approach demonstrates our continued ability to problem-solve within the city, and the intelligence gathering and execution of four simultaneous warrants have led to these results. Four arrests were made, a significant amount of cash and further gambling-related items were recovered and further intelligence opportunities have been identified.
“This was a good team effort involving Neighbourhood Policing officers and our partners at the Gambling Commission and Manchester City Council Licensing Team. As a force, we are working hard with our partners towards being at the forefront of tackling illegal gambling and associated organised criminality. We will continue to build on the intelligence and take further action where appropriate.”
Sue Young, Executive Director of Operations at the Gambling Commission, said: “Unlicensed operators often have links to wider criminal activity, exploit vulnerable people and undermine legitimate regulated businesses. And that is why we are always keen to work in partnership with the police to crack down on illegal operations.”