Last night, a large number of police and federal agents were on the scene at 37 East Broadway, investigating an alleged illegal gambling operation. Agents from Homeland Security went floor-by-floor in the building near Catherine Street, seizing more than $200,000 and taking 11 people into custody for questioning.
A large crowd of onlookers gathered on the sidewalk across the street. A sign in Chinese above the ground floor entrance reads, “Lucky 777.” Sources told WNBC that games like mahjong, pai gow poker and “computer-based slots” were being offered in specially outfitted rooms throughout the building.
The Times reported that the six story building, worth about $14 million, is expected to be seized. The operation was also raided last year.
“The Times reported that the six story building, worth about $14 million, is expected to be seized. The operation was also raided last year.” The Times reporter must be familiar with the neighborhood. This is really the story. Often the initial raid is the upfront glamourous part of the story. It is what comes later that really counts. In this case the building will probably sized, and in other cases the city brings in city inspectors and issues numerous fines to other businesses in the building.
Since this is not my story, and the Lo-Down censors my input I will not go into the details, but a friend of mine has a business in Chinatown. His building was raided for counterfeit products. That was just the beginning. The counterfeit business was closed, but, using my friend as an example, he was issued several thousand dollars in fines, and then it cost him over $80,000.00 to bring his space up to so called “code”. What a nightmare. Yes the raid is the tweeter part- the real story comes later.
clayton patterson