Grounds for Ayre raid tenuous
15.03.2006The ongoing disclosures on the Costa Rican police raid at Bodog chief Calvin Ayre's pad continue to make for amusing reading at Gambling 911, which appears to have an exclusive inside track on the story.
Although the authorities have yet to comment, it is believed that the raid was carried out in the belief that illegal gambling was taking place at the Ayre mansion, when this was not in fact the case.
Between 60 and 100 cops searched the premises and questioned the numerous guests, who were attending an end of shoot party for Ayre's upcoming TV show.
Keeping the story rolling along, the latest tidbits entertain readers by claiming that the search warrant carried by police on the raid was granted on somewhat tenuous grounds. These included reading media reports (including 911) and "....investigating the premises and seeing models, many of them blonde, entering the compound, as well as many persons with American characteristics."
911 also claims that a drug dog was brought onto the scene and headed for the maid's underwear drawer, which yielded nothing but thongs. There's a couplet in there somewhere!
Police are also alleged to have made the most of the buffet laid out for the party, whilst three officers stripped down and took a dip in the swimming pool (it later transpired this was to search a cave feature)
One officer is alleged to have walked into the same glass wall on three seperate occasions, whilst other armed police entered Ayre's walk-in closet and confiscated valueless itineraries pertaining to people attending the party. Officers asked models in skin tight outfits if they had guns.
Confusion appears to have been rampant, according to the 911 report. Police inside the compound ordered everyone out...but police on the front lawn and street ordered everyone back inside. Some of the officers were overheard in Spanish saying they had no idea why they were there.
A deck of cards was finally brandished as evidence of illegal gambling until it was pointed out that nearly every home has a deck of cards. Actors playing the part of guards in the TV show were arrested for "failing to maintain guard permits."
Gambling 911 concludes it's report with this: "When all was said and done, the officers confiscated two computers and one legally licensed pistol. The investigation concluded with no charges filed."
Ayre is due to meet with Costa Rican authorities later today (Wednesday) to discuss the incident, and there will in all probability be more entertaining reading following that confrontation.
