3-year-old gambling bust may be state's biggest

ROCHESTER, N.H. -- A successful three-year gambling investigation has led police to nearly $390,000 from a sporting-card and video poker racket. Police believe the sum makes it the largest gambling seizure in state history. Money was taken during 12 different arrests throughout the investigation. Police said the first bust happened in May 2002, when officers raided a house on Route 153 in Middleton. They found $1,731 and six video poker machines in a gambling room above the garage. Three people were arrested and pleaded guilty in Rochester District Court. During an arrest in Hampton, police uncovered books and information that led them to Florida. They found a safety deposit box in Citrus County, uncovering $112,500 and another $216,000 at a residence. That led police to three Rochester addresses in October, where searches uncovered more cash, gambling operations and leads. One apartment had 11 video poker machines. Police said it looked like a small casino. "We conducted a sting and we counted numerous people traveling in and out. It was being used solely for gambling," State Police Lt. Brian Hester said. The latest arrests came Saturday, when police found $29,000. Several more arrests may be coming, too, police said. ------ Information from: Foster's Daily Democrat, http://www.fosters.com