At a Glance
Investigation Initiated by JIGIT
JIGIT began investigating an illegal gaming site in March 2023 which expanded to multiple gaming houses.Charges Approved Against Two Individuals
On August 26, 2026, charges were approved against Shahrouz Younesi and Xiaoyi 'Karen' Zhang for keeping illegal gaming houses and tobacco offenses.Seizures and Forfeitures
Authorities seized approximately 145 kilograms of illegal tobacco, $240,000 CAD, gaming equipment, and electronic devices, all forfeited to the Province.Collaborative Law Enforcement Effort
The investigation involved multiple agencies highlighting the complexity of illegal gaming operations and the importance of joint efforts to protect communities.For Immediate Release:
CFSEU-BC
2026-09-03
Two individuals have been charged following an investigation by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia’s (CFSEU-BC) Joint Illegal Gaming Investigation Team (JIGIT) into an illegal gaming operation in the lower mainland.
In March 2023, JIGIT began their investigation into an illegal gaming site that quickly
evolved into investigations of multiple gaming houses.
Approximately 145 kilograms of illegal tobacco
• Approximately $240,000 CAD
• Gaming tables and equipment
• Multiple electronic devices, including cell phones, tablets, laptops and digital video recorders (DVR)
On August 26, 2026, the BC Prosecution Service approved charges against two individuals with the following offences:
• Shahrouz Younesi, a 54-year-old from Burnaby for keeping a commongaming house, contrary to section 201(1) of the Criminal Code; and the sale of unstamped tobacco products, contrary to Section 121.1(1) of the Criminal Code
• Xiaoyi “Karen” Zhang a 46-year-old from Vancouver for keeping a common gaming house, contrary to section 201(1) of the Criminal Code.
Additionally, all illicit gaming proceeds and equipment were forfeited to the Province of British Columbia.
Both individuals are expected to appear in court at a later date.
“This investigation highlights the scale and complexity of illegal gaming operations and the significant resources required to disrupt them,” says Sgt. Sarbjit K. Sangha, Media Relations Officer for CFSEU-BC. “The resulting charges, seizures and forfeitures reflect the dedication of our investigators and the strength of our partnerships. By working together with our law enforcement and government partners, we are helping protect the integrity and safety of communities across British Columbia.”
The CFSEU-BC would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance with this investigation: Burnaby RCMP, Vancouver Police Department, Integrated Emergency Response Team, BC Ministry of Finance and Canada Revenue Agency.
Sgt. Sarbjit K. Sangha
Media Relations Officer
Royal Canadian Mounted Police with
Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit – British Columbia
media@cfseu.bc.ca
Desk:778-290-2126
Cell: 236-558-0441
