Authorities in southern Alberta have pressed a long list of charges against a pair brothers and are looking for their associate after police say they were the head of a large gambling operation that also involved drug trafficking.
The Calgary Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU), made up of members of the Calgary Police Service and RCMP, arrested and charged two brothers in connection with a 21-month-long investigation into an illegal gambling operation.
Rodney Scott Garinger, 45, of Calgary, and his brother Kevin Todd Garinger, 43, of Lethbridge, allegedly profited from hundreds of thousands of dollars from their illegal activity.
Investigators say a significant amount of drugs also changed hands.
They estimate that during a recent 40-day period, the pair profited $65,000 on hockey and football bets.
Police also seized 10 lbs of marijuana from the brothers, which have a street value of more than $45,000.
The Garingers have been charged with:
- Keeping a common gaming house (x2)
- Bookmaking (x2)
- Recording or registering bets (x2)
- Making bets in person (x2)
- Making bets over the phone (x2)
- Drug trafficking (marijuana) (x3)
- Conspiracy to traffic (cocaine) (x2)
- Possession of the proceeds of crime (x2)
During the course of their investigation, police also identified a 46-year-old man from Vernon, B.C. as being connected as an associate.
Thomas John Ross is wanted for allegedly supplying the brothers with large quantities of marijuana.
He is facing charges of trafficking and possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Ross has not been located and a Canada-wide warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ross is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
