A London man is among several people facing charges after police took down a gambling ring that brought in more than $131-million over five years.
Provincial police announced details Thursday of an investigation, called Project Hobart, that began in January of 2018. According to the OPP, the investigation targeting illegal gambling websites allegedly controlled by Hell's Angels members Robert Barletta of London, Craig McIlquham, Eugenio Reda, and Hell's Angels prospect member Raffaele Simonelli. During the investigation, which involved 18 organizations including the London Police Service, police identified five illegal gambling websites that brought in about $13 million in revenue in 2019. The website names are Ultimate SB, Titan SB, PlaytoWin SB, Privada SB, and Players SB.
Police have also linked the operation to the Figliomeni crime family.
In a series of raids last week, police seized:
- Seven residences and two vacation properties valued at just over $8.1-million
- Financial accounts holding a total of more than $1.2-million
- 18 vehicles; including luxury and vintage automobiles, three Harley Davidson motorcycles, two snowmobiles and two golf carts
- More than $1.7 million in cash
- Multiple gold and silver coins and bars valued at $320,000
- Many high-end luxury watches and jewelry valued at $303,000
- A total of 21 firearms, including nine illegal handguns, six rifles, three shotguns and three other handguns
- Hells Angels motorcycle gang 'colours'
- Two conducted energy weapons
- Several ballistic vests
"Criminal organizations and the hallmarks of their illegal enterprises - gun violence, deaths, assaults and the extraordinary amount of money that fuel further criminal acts continue to threaten public safety," said OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique. "Police and partner agencies will continue to fully collaborate and aggressively target the ring leaders, their associates, and their lavish criminal lifestyle to make our cities and towns safer."
