Illustration of a game of poker. – Markus Schwedt
They are suspected of having organized very high-end underground poker games in Paris. Twelve people were arrested Friday by investigators from the central racing and games service, learns 20 minutes from a source close to the case. At the end of their custody, six men, aged 30 to 40 years and suspected of being the organizers of this gambling den, were indicted Sunday in Créteil and placed under judicial supervision.
The investigation started last fall. The police began to take an interest in a team which had set up an illegal gambling den in Champigny-sur-Marne (Val-de-Marne). But quickly, the criminals saw bigger and rented “a luxurious apartment, on 4 levels, with an elevator inside”, located avenue Foch, in Paris (16th), tells us the commissioner Stéphane Piallat, boss of the service investigator at the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police.
“Waitresses offered massages”
A dozen players came to play, all day and sometimes all night. “They could also eat, buy cigarettes … and waitresses offered massages”, continues the commissioner. Last Friday, investigators, supported by the national BRI, made several arrests during the night.
The six men suspected of being the organizers, known to the police, admitted the facts in police custody. During a search, the police got their hands on a few thousand euros and a handgun. A vehicle was also seized. The other people arrested were employees: croupiers or hostesses.