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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, January 24, 2008

Feds, police dismantle casino operation

By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer

Federal agents and Honolulu police said they dismantled an illegal Honolulu casino yesterday that handled more than $10,000 in bets daily and allegedly helped a couple amass more than $7 million in cash and property.

The government alleges that the couple, Yong Sang Kim and Min Ju Kim, collected $3,787,300 in cash and bought or leased more than $4 million worth of property by running the gambling business and other ventures out of various Honolulu locations between 2003 and July 7, 2005.

Law enforcement officials say the Kims moved the operation around and avoided prosecution after agents seized cash and a vehicle in 2005.

A four-count indictment naming the Kims and nine others was unsealed yesterday and agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Honolulu Police Department and the Internal Revenue Service executed a federal search warrant on the game rooms in the Sam Sung Plaza, at 655 Ke'eaumoku St.

Seven people including the couple were arrested, and four remain at large, including Chon Su Kim, Yong San Kim's younger brother, who authorities believe may be in Seoul, South Korea.

All are charged with running an illegal gambling business and conspiracy, and Yong Sang Kim and Min Ju Kim are also charged with money laundering.

The game room operated in several different locations, including 808 Sheridan St., 1320 Rycroft St. and 1308 Rycroft St., according to the indictment.

Customers at the Sam Sung Plaza location could place wagers "on casino-like card games, such as baccarat and blackjack, as well as electronic video gambling machines, which included but we're not limited to poker and 'fruit' machines," according to the unsealed indictment.

More than three rooms were set up casino style, and security cameras and large guards watched the tables. Alcohol and other refreshments were served, according to law enforcement officials.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas J. Brady, who is prosecuting the case for the government, declined comment.

"The case is ongoing, and no further details for release are available at this time," said Wayne K. Wills, special agent in charge of ICE's Honolulu division.

Honolulu police did not return messages seeking comment.

Yong Sang Kim rented a safe-deposit box where he kept hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, the indictment said. Federal agents seized $629,800 from a safe-deposit box Kim kept at the Hawaiian Depository Co. on Young Street on July 7, 2005.

Also on that day, agents seized a white 2004 Land Rover SUV and $1,300 in cash that was found in a black duffel bag on the front seat. In all, federal agents documented 14 deposits Yong Sang Kim made to the safe-deposit box in 2005.

Nine of the 11 people charged in the indictment worked as card dealers, cashiers and managers within the operation, authorities said.

Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.