Crime & Safety
SJ Cops Bust Alleged Underground Casino Ring
Detectives said the an illegal gambling ring was operating at makeshift casinos across San Jose.
SAN JOSE, CA — Detectives in San Jose on Thursday shut down numerous underground casinos that allegedly operated illegally all over the city, the San Jose Police Department said on Tuesday.
The investigation was launched after receiving several complaints from residents, police said.
The underground casinos allegedly "served as a conduit" for illegal activities, police said, such as gambling, the sale and use of narcotics, and the purchase and sale of stolen property.
Police have identified Chuong Ho, 43, of San Jose, as the alleged "criminal mastermind" responsible for operating the casinos. He was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of multiple felonies.
Find out what's happening in Los Gatosfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
On Thursday, detectives coordinated a large-scale operation serving search warrants to seven different locations, including the 2000 block of Whittington Drive, the 1000 block of Commercial Court, the 400 block of East Williams Street, the 200 block of Prairiewood Court, the 3000 block of Capewood Lane, the 1800 block of Harbor View Avenue, and the 21000 block of Ingomar Grade in Los Banos.
In addition to the arrest of Ho, several other suspects were taken into custody at each location.
Police said they seized over $285,000 in cash, along with dozens of gambling machines, 11 firearms, over 8 pounds of crystal methamphetamine and cocaine, 500 MDMA pills, and over 2,000 pieces of stolen mail.
Find out what's happening in Los Gatosfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Multiple agencies coordinated to shut the casinos down, including the Department of Motor Vehicles, U.S. Postal Inspectors, the Santa Clara Police Department, Bureau of Investigations and a covert response unit.
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