“Operation Fish & Chips” leads to seizure
In Jacksonville, Florida, a multi-year gambling investigation named “Operation Fish & Chips” has led to twelve arrests and the seizure of millions of dollars in assets. The investigation revealed two murders, eight robberies, and 26 aggravated assaults in connection with the illegal gambling locations in Duval County.
we remove one accelerant that ignites violence in our community”
Discussing the case during a news conference on Wednesday, Sheriff TK Waters said: “By shutting down these illegal gaming locations and seizing their criminal proceeds, we remove one accelerant that ignites violence in our community.”
According to Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the multi-agency operation led to the seizure of various assets, including:
- 263 illegal gaming devices
- $2.5m in illegally sourced cash
- 15 vehicles in one trailer valued at almost $1.7m
- Two houses, jewelry, watches, and purses valued at $1.2m
Waters said: “These figures are early in conservative estimates, there are bank accounts and safe deposit boxes have yet to be itemized, so these figures will likely change.”
The Establishment used ten different facilities
According to a 32-page documented filled through the Florida Department of Legal Affairs, “The Establishment” has been in operation since at least 2021 and operated out of ten different facilities, including the following locations:
- 5354 Verna Boulevard (the “Verna” Establishment)
- 4547 Shirley Avenue (the “Shirley” Establishment, also known as “Jax Social”)
- 5331 Lenox Avenue (the “Lenox” Establishment)
- 1513 Lane Avenue (the “Lane” Establishment)
- 734 Edgewood Avenue North (the “Edgewood” Establishment, also known as “Paxon”)
- 5045 Soutel Drive (the “Soutel” Establishment)
- 4006 North Main Street (the “Main Street” Establishment)
- 8014 Lem Turner Road (the “Turner” Establishment)
- 4578 Blanding Boulevard (the “Blanding” Establishment)
- 6530 San Juan Avenue (the “San Juan” Establishment)
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office took notice of “The Establishment” after numerous citizens filed complaints about potentially illegal activities.
Warning for Jacksonville criminals
One anonymous person who lives near Strickland spoke with News4JAX, saying: “I knew that a lot of stuff had happened over the years that I’d seen with activity over there, high-end cars, constantly changing things. Like roofs and building new structures in the last two years were a big red flag to me, because I couldn’t understand where all the money was coming from.”
The sheriff admonished anyone in the area who might be engaged in similar behavior, saying: “We know you’re there, we know where you are, and we’re watching. We are wise to what you’re doing and we’re coming for you to stop you from doing what you’re doing.”