Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't most bookmaking and loansharking busts intertwined with extortion and threats of physical violence or worse?
And what of the knock-on effect the sale of drugs has in terms of urban crime?
Aces, you mentioned in a previous post how Merlino commissioned the sale of guns!
It's all inter-related
a bookmaker doesn't just suddenly decides he wants to be a bookmaker. He needs the funds
And that comes from drugs money.... which is reinvested in bookmaking/ loansharking
So yes whilst many say ahh who cares about a couple of sports bets or loans...consider what's funding these operations
