UPDATE: Five individuals have been arrested in Fairbanks, Alaska, during a crackdown on an illegal gambling operation that authorities describe as a major enterprise. The Fairbanks Police Department (FPD) conducted a raid on Friday night, uncovering extensive gambling activities at two locations.
During the investigation, officers seized over $55,000 worth of gambling equipment, including casino-style “fish table” machines and “Fire Kirin” games, along with $45,053 in cash. The raids took place at 510 Old Steese Highway and 1521 Stacia Street. FPD officials reported that both establishments were operating as unlicensed gambling venues, featuring cash payouts and detailed ledgers tracking daily wins and losses.
Evidence collected from the scenes revealed that the two locations were interconnected, operating as a single illegal gambling enterprise. FPD stated, “Evidence from both sites, including matching financial logs and electronic spreadsheets, showed that the two addresses were coordinated as a single operation.”
Among those arrested are Pilisega Filivaa Jr., David Irae Lefau, and Montgomery Finau Kuresa Jr., all residents of Fairbanks, along with Marley Etisone Liulama and Richard Taupea Fola from Kent, Washington. All five face multiple charges, including promoting gambling and possession of gambling devices. Filivaa, Kuresa, and Fola received additional charges, according to the FPD’s press release.
This operation highlights ongoing concerns about illegal gambling activities in the region. The police are encouraging the community to report any suspicious gambling operations.
As this situation develops, authorities will continue to investigate the extent of the illegal activities and any additional individuals involved. Residents are urged to stay informed and report any further suspicious activity to local law enforcement.
Stay tuned for more updates on this breaking story as we continue to provide the latest developments from Fairbanks.
