An inter-agency taskforce involving more than 90 police officers executed coordinated raids at 58 properties, in relation to a scourge of gaming room robberies in South Australia.
Police report armed robberies at 26 gaming rooms in the State since the start of the year.
Fifteen offenders had already been detained and arrested in relation to one or more of the robberies.
The raids on Friday swooped on locations across metropolitan Adelaide, finding and confiscating cash, stolen goods and weapons. Eight people were arrested for offences of breach parole, drugs and possessing stolen goods. Another seven were reported, and many drug-tested.
Authorities say the investigation centres around a two-fold goal to both target persons of interest and send a clear sign to the community. The raids involved officers from the Serious & Organised Crime Branch, Operation Mandrake, Traffic Services Branch, State Tactical Response Group, STAR Dog Operations, and metropolitan districts.
“These offences create significant fear,” says Detective Chief Inspector Denise Gray.
“We are working closely with the Australian Hotels Association and Community Clubs Association to provide crime prevention advice and support to their members.”
Police report they do not believe one specific group has been responsible for the gaming room robberies, but that some of those already arrested over the crimes are known to each other.