9 nabbed in Stony Point-based illegal lottery ring

Rockland County Intelligence Center agents broke up an alleged illegal gambling ring Thursday, arresting the suspected Stony Point masterminds.Authorities raided seven alleged Rockland County betting locations, including three in Spring Valley storefronts, after a yearlong investigation. Officials say the operation also spanned New Jersey.
Gambling slips, safes and $400,000 were confiscated in the process. Officials believe the ring generated between $10 and $12 million annually.
According to officials, brothers Jose and Julio Rojas paid players based on real lottery drawings, including the Dominican Republic lottery, but winners dodged taxes.
The Rojases were among eight men and one woman taken into custody. The suspects face charges of corruption, money laundering and gambling. Officials say some of the suspects are illegal immigrants who may face deportation.
Stony Point residents say they had no idea the brothers were involved in the illegal activity, which authorities say spawned thefts and even human smuggling.