Authorities in British Columbia have laid money laundering charges against a man from Esquimalt following an investigation that led to the discovery of an alleged illegal gambling den on Vancouver Island.
The inquiry, initiated by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C. in January 2024, uncovered suspicious activities in the Saanich region. Subsequent months of diligent evidence collection culminated in police conducting raids on various locations in Victoria and Saanich, resulting in the arrest of 14 individuals in August of the same year.
During the operations, law enforcement officers seized two poker tables, thousands of chips, approximately $17,000 in cash, and impounded three high-end vehicles – a Cadillac, a Land Rover, and a Mercedes.
The man from Esquimalt, aged 55, now faces charges of operating a common gaming house and possessing illicitly obtained funds. Following his surrender to authorities, he has been released under specified conditions pending his upcoming court appearance.