Sub-machine gun, pistols seized in Taoyuan City Casino raid

Police charged two men with weapons offences after guns were seized during a raid on an underground casino operating in Taoyuan City, December 1.

Miaoli County, and Taoyuan City police units had been keeping a suspect known to be armed, and suspected of using a car wash and repair shop as a front for a casino, under observation since early October.

On December 1, an ad-hoc team, including SWAT officers armed with MP5 submachine guns received a search warrant and raided the casino. Officers used a newly acquired door-busting device to break open an iron security gate and entered the premises.

Gamblers and staff scattered, and attempted to flee, some jumping out of the second floor windows, and one injuring his ankle in the process. Police fired a warning shot and rounded up and arrested 12 suspects.

A search of the premises and suspects uncovered an MK-9 submachine gun, three pistols, and 77 rounds of ammunition. A small amount of drugs was also confiscated. Two men, Lin, 23, and Chen, 22, admitted to possession of the weapons, and were charged with offences against guns, knives, and weapons regulations. Both men were released on NT$100,000 bail.

The pistols were identified as two Zoraki 925 automatic pistols, and one 935-type “Armed Forces” automatic pistol. Although the Turkish-made Zoraki is originally manufactured as a gas-fired replica, commonly used in movies and theatrical productions, it can be easily converted to fire live ammunition. While reports did not specify that the Zoraki pistols had been modified, the ammunition found consisted of “standard bullets.”

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