(The Center Square) – Hundreds of firearms were seized by the Arizona Department of Gaming following a Special Intelligence Unit investigation in Tucson.
Two people were arrested and 452 firearms were taken away, along with $4,000, cash and ammunition and other items because of an allegedly illegal gun raffle “gambling operation.”
“Record-breaking seizures like this only further highlight the criminal activity that illegal gambling establishments attract when they go unregulated, posing a significant threat to public safety,” Jackie Johnson, Director of the Arizona Department of Gaming, said in a statement on the seizures that occurred on Oct. 30.
The officials warned gambling operations to make sure they’re within the bounds of the law, as there are restrictions on the legality of gaming in the state, especially when it involves weapons.
“I would like to congratulate the Arizona Department of Gaming on this sizable seizure of weapons and ammunition. Thanks to their efforts, two criminals are off the streets, and over 450 firearms are no longer available for criminal use,” Colonel Jeffrey Glover, Director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety said in a statement.
“I’m proud of the work done by my agency and we will continue to assist any law enforcement agency that requests our help. Collaboration between agencies in the State of Arizona is stronger today than ever, and the AZDPS will always be dedicated to those continued partnerships,’ Glover added.
