Officers from the Economic Crime Unit of the Legnica Municipal Police Headquarters had been conducting operational activities for some time concerning organized gambling crime. – The most experienced police officers became involved in this case. For several months, they worked very thoroughly to reach the people engaged in this practice and shut down the places where illegal gambling took place – reports Commissioner Jagoda Ekiert, press officer of the Legnica Municipal Police Headquarters. She immediately adds: – The criminal investigators had to act unconventionally.
She further explains: – Once the officers had gathered complete information and identified several premises in Lower Silesia and Lubusz Voivodeship containing gambling machines for which a special concession is required, they began their operations. A joint operation involving officers from Legnica, Lubin, Polkowice and Żagań, as well as officers from the Lower Silesian Customs and Tax Office and the Lubusz Customs and Tax Office, led to the seizure of equipment and the closure of gambling venues.
During the joint operation, police officers and customs officers forcibly entered several premises in Lubin, Polkowice and Żagań simultaneously in the evening.
Spokeswoman:
The information gathered by the Legnica police officers was quickly confirmed. Gambling machines were found inside the premises. The devices were plugged in and ready for use. The 22 gambling machines discovered and secured contained games of chance operated for commercial purposes, for which a concession required to operate a casino is necessary.
On-site procedural experiments conducted by police officers and customs officers confirmed that these were machines operating in violation of the Gambling Act. The machines were then secured and handed over to officers of the Lower Silesian Customs and Tax Office and the Lubusz Customs and Tax Office, who will conduct further proceedings in the case.
During a search of premises in Lubin, police officers secured 8 machines and detained 2 people, who were charged with organizing gambling and participating in gambling conducted in violation of the law. In addition, cash amounting to more than PLN 6,000 was secured.
At a venue in Polkowice, police officers secured 7 machines and detained 1 person for operating gambling games. In addition, several grams of methamphetamine were found on the woman.
During subsequent searches of the detainee’s residential premises, several dozen grams of methamphetamine, several grams of marijuana and other psychotropic substances were discovered and secured. Cash amounting to more than PLN 6,000 was also secured.
At another location, in Żagań, where gambling games were organized, 7 machines were discovered and secured, and 4 people were detained. Three of them were charged with participating in gambling conducted in violation of the law, while one was charged with organizing gambling. Cash amounting to more than PLN 6,000 was also secured.
Commissioner J. Ekiert:
Police officers and customs officers will continue to act decisively to detect and combat this type of illegal practice and announce that such operations will continue. Owners of the machines, their associates and owners of premises where illegal gambling takes place must expect criminal liability.
Possessing illegal gambling machines and other equipment enabling gambling carries severe penalties of PLN 100,000 for each machine. Organizing gambling, apart from a heavy fine, is also punishable by up to 3 years’ imprisonment.