BREAKING: Five individuals have been arrested in Fairbanks, Alaska, after police uncovered a significant illegal gambling operation late Friday night. The Fairbanks Police Department (FPD) confirmed that the operation was conducted at two locations: 510 Old Steese Highway and 1521 Stacia Street.
Officers seized a staggering $55,000 in gambling equipment and an additional $45,053 in cash during their investigation. Among the items confiscated were multiple casino-style “fish table” machines and “Fire Kirin” gambling games. The locations also featured detailed cash payout systems, along with ledgers that documented daily wins and losses, clearly indicating their function as unlicensed gambling establishments.
According to FPD, evidence revealed that both sites operated as a coordinated entity, with financial logs and electronic spreadsheets linking the two addresses. The police stated, “Evidence from both sites, including matching financial logs and electronic spreadsheets, showed that the two addresses were coordinated as a single operation.”
The arrested suspects include Pilisega Filivaa Jr., David Irae Lefau, and Montgomery Finau Kuresa Jr. from Fairbanks, alongside Marley Etisone Liulama and Richard Taupea Fola from Kent, Washington. All five face multiple charges, including promoting gambling and possession of gambling records and devices. Filivaa, Kuresa, and Fola are facing additional charges as well.
This operation is a significant blow to illegal gambling activities in the area, highlighting the ongoing efforts by authorities to crack down on unregulated betting. The FPD has stated that ongoing investigations will continue to monitor similar operations and ensure compliance with gambling laws.
As the investigation unfolds, residents are urged to report any suspicious gambling activities to local authorities. The FPD is expected to provide further updates as new information becomes available.
This incident underscores the urgency of addressing illegal gambling, which poses risks not only to participants but also to the broader community. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
