Police seized six gambling machines and arrested two people for outstanding warrants Friday night in a raid at a Chinatown building where police had seized gaming machines on at least two previous occasions.
Police Sgt. Thomas Santos said the raid was prompted by community complaints of gambling and drug dealing on the property.
Officers served the gambling search warrant at 162 N. King St. about 7 p.m. and found six people on the second floor, Santos said.
Two people were arrested for outstanding warrants. The others were questioned and released.
Officers brought down six electronic “fruit” machines, similar to slot machines where players can win money by lining up pictures of fruit on the screen. Police placed the machines into evidence. Officers with the Specialized Services Division, along with a police dog, assisted District 1 Crime Reduction Unit officers in the raid.
The building, on the mauka side of King Street between River and Kekaulike streets, did not have any identifying signs. Brown paper and dark tint covered the windows. An interior metal screen door could be seen when the outer door was opened. Signs posted in the window advertised the property as available for rent.
Honolulu property tax records show the property is owned by the Murli H. Manghnani Trust. An unidentified man who answered a phone number listed on the for-rent sign said Saturday of the raid, “I was shocked.” He said the activity was happening on his property “without my knowledge or approval.” He would not speak further about the incident, saying he was advised not to by police and his lawyer and that he is cooperating with authorities.
A police source said the gambling operation had different levels of security, including cameras on the outside to screen people who sought entry. The source said illegal gambling operations usually cater to a regular clientele and are also known for dealing drugs.
Santos said a representative with the Attorney General’s Office was also at the scene to issue a nuisance abatement warning to the property owner, which could lead to the state condemning the property if the illegal activity doesn’t stop.
On Dec. 6, 2011, four people were arrested for gambling at the address and police found various electronic gaming machines.
On Sept. 15, 2010, officers responded to reports of gunfire and a robbery on the second floor of 162 N. King St. When officers got upstairs, they found no evidence of a robbery or a shooting. But they seized about a dozen illegal video gaming machines.
