Four arrests made in Honolulu after illegal gambling investigation and raids

Four arrests have been made by the Honolulu Police Department between two raids as part of an illegal gambling investigation.

Honolulu officers from the city’s Narcotics/Vice Division made four arrests after carrying out search warrants on two locations. The first took place on November 4 on Wanini Street, where arrest records show that three men were arrested just after 6pm.

Chenjie Jyang, 27, was arrested for promoting gambling in the second degree and possession of a gambling device, while 40-year-old Eric J Foster and a 49-year-old Nuu Tagaolo were arrested on separate criminal contempt of court warrants.

Electronic gaming machines seized during a Honolulu police raid on an alleged illegal gambling operation in Pearl City. Credit: Honolulu Police Department

During the raid, Honolulu officers also seized 14 gambling machines and more than $4,000 in cash. A second raid was carried out the following day on Kamehameha Highway, where two more illegal gambling rooms were uncovered with 34 gambling machines and over $9,000 in cash split between the two.

A patron at the establishment was arrested for criminal contempt of court and two arrest warrants, but no further members of the suspected gambling ring were arrested at that time.

Honolulu punishments for illegal gambling

In Honolulu, illegal gambling is taken seriously, with Jyang at risk of facing both prison time and hefty fines if convicted. Promoting gambling in the second degree is a class C felony in Hawaii, which could see him given five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000. His second charge, possession of a gambling device, is also illegal but classified as a misdemeanor. That means he could face up to a year imprisonment and a fine of up to $2,000.

HPD Seizes 48 Machines and Makes Arrests in Gambling Busts

Read more here: https://t.co/1NrrXT2vfH

To report illegal gambling, call the Narcotics/Vice 24-hour hotline at 808-723-3933 or use the online form: https://t.co/YmaRluhyZV. pic.twitter.com/hpts9Guigv

— Honolulu Police (@honolulupolice) November 7, 2025

The potential sentences for the other charges of criminal contempt of court depend on the original crime, but could see the other arrested men face both jail time and financial penalties.

Hawaii has recently cracked down on illegal backroom gambling, with another bust taking place just last month.

Featured image: Honolulu Police Department

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