seized<\/a> cash, gambling devices, and other property, prosecutors said. Officials also seized money from bank accounts that were linked to illegal gambling.<\/p>\nThe forfeitures came as a result of an investigation that began in 2018 and which led to 12 convictions. Names of the defendants weren\u2019t immediately available from prosecutors.<\/p>\n
Forfeiture is Critical<\/h2>\n
When reviewing the outcome of the investigation, forfeiture was an important crime-fighting weapon, prosecutors said.<\/p>\n
\u201cForfeiture provides a critical tool for law enforcement in its efforts to disrupt illegal enterprises and reduce criminal activity in our community,\u201d Hawaii U.S. Attorney Clare Connors said in a recent statement. “Illegal gambling businesses cause significant harm, and the successful forfeiture of more than $1 million from this illegal gambling operation reflects our commitment to pursue both criminal and civil actions.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gambling Investigations a Priority<\/h2>\n
In recent years, federal officials and local police have made it a priority to shut down illegal gaming operations in Hawaii.<\/p>\n
\n
In May 2023, three illegal game rooms in Nanakuli were raided, and some 38 illegal gambling devices valued at about $300K were seized. The following month, Honolulu police officers confiscated illegal gambling equipment in a commercial building. The devices were valued at $75K.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
In July 2023, Honolulu cops seized illegal drugs, an unspecified amount of money, and 45 gambling devices from four different locations. Four suspects were arrested as a result of the raids.<\/p>\n
The court-ordered searches were part of a special enforcement involving Honolulu police and federal investigators to curb illegal gambling and related crime. It\u2019s called Operation Firestorm<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Federal prosecutors revealed this week they were able to generate more than $1.9M after successful forfeitures associated with illicit gaming in Hawaii.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":311463,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[69069,21],"tags":[81913,13766,89955,13690],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Hawaii Forfeitures Linked to Illegal Gambling Raise $1.9M<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n