Major Dominican Lottery ring busted in NY, patch.com reports

New York.- Police culminated Operation Big Splash and busted an illegal betting ring in Rockland with international ties met a swift end Wednesday night, an investigation that netted more than $130,000 in cash and 32 arrests, scarsdale.patch.com reports.

It said the sting uncovered a Dominican Lottery that was operating out of 18 businesses—many of them mom-and-pop stores—throughout Haverstraw and West Haverstraw; barbershops, delis, grocery stores and other merchants took in thousands of dollars in wages over a four-month period. “The Dominican Lottery is akin to New York’s Pick 3 Lottery, officials said, and allows players to win up to $600 with a $1 investment.”

Citing officials, the news source said Wednesday night’s sweep required 100 police officers and nine simultaneous search warrants; authorities met no resistance, but uncovered an illegal handgun. There was a previous sweep on March 14.

Authorities seized wads of 20 and 50 dollar bills, marble notebooks with betting numbers scrawled in them, computers and receipts during the sting. Police displayed the evidence on a folding table in Haverstraw Town Hall at a Thursday morning press conference, and sounded off on the operation. scarsdale.patch.com

"I take exception to those who might call illegal gambling a victimless crime," said Haverstraw Police Chief Charles Miller. "These illegal activities provide fuel that drives a variety of illicit activities in our town, often leading to an increase in other ‘quality of life’ crimes."