San Diego police shut down illegal gambling venues, arrest suspects

• A couple of raids in California resulted in the arrest of a dozen people
• The illegal gambling busts took place at a neighborhood market and a private residence
• At one of the suspected illegal gambling venues, police detained four people, while eight were arrested at a separate location

Two recent police raids in San Diego, California, resulted in the arrest of a dozen suspects and the seizure of nearly two dozen gambling machines.

The raids were conducted not even 48 hours apart, with one taking place at a neighborhood market and the other one taking place at a private residence.

Law enforcement continues the fight against illegal gambling

Late last week, the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) released publicly details regarding the two illegal gambling busts.

Besides gambling machines and cash, police found several firearms and drugs at one of the venues.

A statement released by the SDPD reads: "These illegal gambling dens don’t just bring bets — they bring crime: drugs, violence, weapons, and constant disturbances for neighbors."

Not unexpectedly, the SDPD reaffirmed its dedication to protecting local communities by shutting down any illegal gambling operation.

Moreover, law enforcement encouraged residents to report suspicious activities within their neighborhoods by contacting police on its non-emergency line at 619-531-2000.

One police officer described one of the locations by saying: "Just like Vegas."

Unlike the glamour of Las Vegas casinos, the locations shut down by law enforcement were "illegal gambling operations hidden inside a home and a neighborhood market," the SDPD said.

A total of 12 suspects arrested, guns, drugs, cash and illegal gambling machines seized

One of the police raids has taken place at a neighborhood market in Teralta East.

Executing a search warrant, law enforcement attempted to detain one person of interest.

On site, police uncovered nearly $500 in cash, along with nine gambling machines and a replica firearm.

At the aforementioned site, suspected of having operated as an illegal gambling venue, four individuals were arrested.

Another police operation was conducted by SDPD officers in collaboration with SWAT, Vice and agents from the FBI Violent Crime Task Force.

Raiding a private residence on Fairmount Ave., police uncovered a dozen illegal gambling machines.

Moreover, during the search of the premises, law enforcement found and seized two handguns, along with ammunition.

More than $1,000 in cash, as well as unspecified types of narcotics, were also seized.

At the private residence, which allegedly operated as an illegal gambling den, law enforcement arrested eight people who are now facing different drug and gambling-related charges.

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