A San Diego Police cruiser. (Photo courtesy OnScene.TV)
San Diego police officers have shut down two alleged illegal gambling operations within two days, seizing cash and slot machines and arresting 21 people, authorities said Saturday.
The first location was early Thursday morning at a private residence on Fairmount Avenue in the Azalea Park neighborhood, according to the San Diego Police Department.
Officers from patrol, SWAT, Vice and the FBI Violent Crime Task Force served a warrant at that location and found 12 illegal gambling machines, two handguns, ammunition, narcotics and more than $1,000 in cash, police officials said.
Officers arrested eight people on charges related to gambling and narcotics, officials said.
The second bust was at Rocky’s Market in the Teralta East neighborhood, police said.
Officers discovered an alleged illegal gambling operation while attempting to detain a suspect, officials said.
TheY got a warrant that led to the seizure of nine gambling machines, $477 in cash and a replica firearm, police said. Four people were arrested.
“These illegal gambling dens don’t just bring bets — they bring crime, drugs, violence, weapons and constant disturbances for neighbors,” the SDPD said in its statement.
–City News Service