A routine cross-border pursuit unexpectedly became the key breakthrough in dismantling a highly covert foreign underground casino. Recently, the Thai Immigration Police not only captured a fugitive but also "accidentally hit the jackpot" by following the clues in the suspect's phone, successfully raiding an illegal poker game set up for foreigners.
From pursuit to gambling raid: A dramatic twist
The story began with the arrest of a Chinese national named "Dahua," who was wanted for illegally trafficking "laughing gas" and other prohibited items in his home country and had fled to Thailand, hiding in a residence in Chonburi Province. The Thai Immigration Police's Third Investigation Command captured him on January 10. Initially, the case might have concluded there, but the police's routine procedure of examining the suspect's phone dramatically changed the course of the investigation.
The phone contained numerous suspicious photos, chat records, and location data, all pointing to a mysterious location in downtown Chonburi. According to Dahua's later testimony, this was not just any ordinary residence but a "mobile" underground poker casino that used chips for cash exchanges and changed locations weekly. The casino was discreetly inviting participants through social media, with a strong emphasis on privacy for its foreign clientele.
High-tech surveillance and precise capture
After obtaining the clues, the police did not alert the suspects but immediately started secret surveillance. The target was a heavily guarded three-story detached house with enclosed walls and dense surveillance. To understand the situation inside, law enforcement even used drones for aerial surveillance, confirming that more than ten people were gathered inside, and their activities highly matched illegal gambling.
Seeing the ripe opportunity, the action team decisively struck. They first controlled the perimeter without alarming the people inside and then quickly broke in. The scene was as expected by the police, with several foreigners gambling around a table. The situation quickly became chaotic, with individuals attempting to hide cash and chips and scatter in all directions. After a chase, the police eventually controlled everyone present.
International gamblers caught, organizers exposed
The operation was significantly successful:
A total of nine foreign suspects were arrested, including two from Finland, two from Denmark, three from the UK, one from Germany, and one from China.
There was also one Thai national at the scene, who confessed to being responsible for the organization and coordination of the illegal gambling event.
Further investigation revealed that one of the British suspects was also in an overdue illegal stay status.
All involved parties have been legally charged, and the case will continue to be investigated deeply according to gambling, immigration, and related criminal laws. This case clearly demonstrates how the close integration of digital forensics and offline actions in modern law enforcement can produce remarkable effects. For professionals interested in cross-border crime and law enforcement cooperation, detailed analysis and tracking of such cases can often be found on the PASA official website.
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This article is from "PASA-Global iGaming Leaders," a gambling industry news channel:https://t.me/pasa_news
Original in-depth gambling channel:https://t.me/gamblingdeep
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PASA official website: https://www.pasa.news
