Florida Gambling Ring Bust: $4.2M in Cash and Assets Seized, Multiple Arrests Made
A major illegal gambling operation in Jacksonville, Florida has been dismantled, resulting in multiple arrests and the seizure of millions in assets. The operation, dubbed "Operation Fish & Chips," had been running since 2021 across 10 different locations.
Police officer speaking to media
Law enforcement confiscated:
- 263 gambling devices
- $2.5 million in cash
- 15 vehicles (valued at $1.7M)
- 2 houses
- Various jewelry and watches
The operation allegedly offered illegal fish tables, fire links, and internet gambling activities. Multiple bank accounts containing hundreds of thousands of dollars in gambling proceeds were discovered during the investigation.
Key suspects include:
- Robin Rukab Azzam (alleged leader, former Jacksonville city employee)
- George Azzam (co-leader)
- Ryan Strickland
- Derek Fleming
- Majd Dabbas
- Jerry Bass
- Willbert Bannister
The illegal gambling locations were connected to significant criminal activity, including:
- 8 robberies
- 26 assaults
- 2 murders, including a security guard killing
The 10 gambling locations operated at:
- 5354 Verna Boulevard
- 4547 Shirley Avenue
- 5331 Lenox Avenue
- 1513 Lane Avenue
- 734 Edgewood Avenue North
- 5045 Soutel Drive
- 4006 North Main Street
- 8014 Lem Turner Road
- 4578 Blanding Boulevard
- 6530 San Juan Avenue
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters emphasized that shutting down these operations helps reduce violence in the community. The Florida Attorney General's office filed a 32-page complaint following a year-long investigation by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and other agencies.
Related Articles
Houston Man Faces Felony After Abandoning 4-Year-Old in Car While Gambling at Race Track
