Popular Mobilisation Forces Arrest Baghdad’s Godfather of Gambling

The Popular Mobilization Forces have raided a number of hotels in Baghdad as part of a crackdown on illegal gambling. The raid resulted in the arrest of the crime leader who reportedly controlled all gambling activities in Baghdad.

The gun-toting members of Hashd al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilization Forces) swooped down on a number of Baghdad hotels in search of “mafias, roulette clubs, casinos, drug dealers and prostitution rings.”

The raids resulted in the arrest of Hamza al-Shammari, allegedly the godfather of Iraq’s largest criminal organisation, along with around 25 of his minions. The PMF claimed al-Shammari “controlled all gambling, prostitution and drug trafficking sites” in the Baghdad area.

The Operation Meridian raids resulted in the seizure of slot machines and other gambling gear, plus some narcotics, all of which was reportedly turned over to the Iraqi national security forces.

PMF is technically part of the Iraqi security apparatus, but it operates with a degree of independence. The Iraqi government has yet to comment on the operation, but the PMF claimed their raids were conducted “under the guidance of” Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi.