New Jersey Mob Ring Arrests Include Gambling Charges

23 reputed mobsters with alleged ties to the Gambino crime family were arrested Thursday morning. They were expected to be arraigned in Federal Court in Newark Thursday. Ten were arrested and another 13 were told to surrender, an FBI spokesman told News 4 New York.

Among those charged are Andrew Merola of Toms River who prosecutors said allegedly ran the New Jersey crew of the Gambino crime family. Also arrested was Ralph Cicalese of Roseland who helped run gambling operations. Investigators said the gambling enterprise included a multi-million dollar Internet gambling site.

FBI officials on Thursday characterized Merola -- also know as "Andrew Knapik" -- as a "made" member of the Gambino crime family and said he was the organization's highest ranking member in New Jersey.

The crew is also accused of ripping off major retailers like Home Depot, Best Buy and Circuit City by using bogus bar code labels to get high priced electronics and other merchandise at greatly reduced prices.

In this New Jersey case, investigators said many of the suspects will face extortion, racketeering, conspiracy and gambling counts.

The FBI investigation continued for two-years, uncovering crimes that dated back to 2002. The probe relied on court ordered wiretaps and surveillances.

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Gambling911.com News Wire

Originally published May 8, 2008 7:09 pm EST

 

 

 

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