Two Braintree brothers were arrested with thousands of dollars in cash and casino chips and over 100 pounds of marijuana, Massachusetts authorities announced Thursday after saying they had taken down a marijuana trafficking and money laundering scheme involving casinos in several states.
Wai Eng and Aibun Eng were arrested and arraigned Wednesday in Quincy District Court, where they pleaded not guilty to money laundering, drug trafficking and possession charges, according to a statement from Attorney General Maura Healey.
Activity at the MGM Springfield casino consistent with money laundering tipped off Massachusetts State Police to the plot, prosecutors said. The brothers also allegedly used other casinos in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey to launder money they got from illegal marijuana sales.
MGM Springfield is cooperating with the investigation, prosecutors said.
In a raid on Wednesday, police discovered numerous items in the brother's Braintree residences, as well as other locations in Reading, Quincy and Flushing, New York, according to Healey's office.
Officers seized jewelry, five cars, more than $300,000 in cash and over $27,000 in casino chips, more than 100 pounds of illegal marijuana and drug paraphernalia, prosecutors said.
The brothers, 44 and 46, were held on $20,000 cash bail and are due back in court on Aug. 12.
