Affidavit: Four linked to illegal gambling investigation – Laredo Morning Times

Four people have been arrested in relation to a raid at the Golden Ball Amusement Center on 2300 E. Saunders St., according to Laredo police.

Liuhuan Chen, 37, and Minjie Dan, 29, were arrested on March 16 while Jiuming Fu, 47, and Tan Yong, 48, were arrested on March 17.

Chen and Fu are facing charges of keeping a gambling place, gambling promotion and money laundering. Yong was charged with money laundering. Dan was charged with keeping a gambling place.

The case dates back to Oct. 15. At about 6:30 a.m., police set up simultaneous surveillance at two apartments in the 9100 block of McPherson Road and the 7600 block of Green Meadow Drive and a home in the 10100 block of Caballo Drive. These locations are associated with Dan, Fu and Yong.

The case continued on Oct. 27. As part of an illegal gambling operation, an undercover officer entered the Golden Ball. The undercover officer observed a woman identified as Chen entering the cashiers office and fixing the chairs. She was also observed sweeping. The undercover cop did not observe prizes on display that could be obtained from winning, authorities said.

In addition, there were signs offering Match Play. Match play is a term used at eight-liner establishments that doubles the face value of the money that is inserted into a slot machine, states an affidavit.

Live music was being played in the background and free snacks were offered for customers. An Hispanic female employee offered the undercover cop a beverage and later provided him with bottled water. It was also observed that customers were provided with alcoholic beverages, authorities said.

Moments later, the undercover cop inserted $5 into a slot machine identified as Fire Link. About 20 minutes later, the undercover cop won $30. When he cashed out, the undercover cop observed Chen inside the cashiers office overseeing the illegal payout, according to police.

Police recorded a second illegal payout at the Golden Ball on Nov. 4. This time, the undercover cop inserted $5 into a slot machine identified as Life of Luxury and earned $10 after playing for about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, Chen was observed walking the floor of the gaming establishment. She would also walk around the establishment and enter the cashiers office several times, according to authorities.

A third illegal payout was recorded on Nov. 19. The undercover officer inserted $5 in a slot machine identified as Fire Link and won $40. Fu ordered a Hispanic female to cash out the undercover officer. The undercover cop then sat down at another machine labeled Fire Link. He inserted $5 and won $20. During the operation, the undercover cop observed about 65 slot machines.

Further investigation yielded Dan and Yong as suspects in the case. The four suspects were arrested last week.

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Affidavit: Four linked to illegal gambling investigation - Laredo Morning Times