6 Arrested In Police Raid Of Illegal Gambling Den In San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA — Six people were arrested when police raided and shut down an illegal gambling den operating out of a San Diego home, authorities said.

Officers, with assistance from SWAT teams and members of the FBI's violent crime task force, served a search warrant Thursday at a home in the 2600 block of Fairmount Avenue in the City Heights neighborhood, according to the San Diego Police Department.

Authorities arrested six suspects and seized 12 illegal gambling machines, two handguns, ammunition, narcotics and more than $1,000 in cash, SDPD Capt. Martha Sainz said. Two other occupants of the home were issued citations, and four more were interrogated and released.

In February, detectives discovered an illegal gambling den at the home while investigating a double shooting in the area, Sainz said. Officers seized several gambling machines and shut down the illicit operation, but learned about a month later it had been reestablished.

"Illegal gambling dens often attract other criminal activity to the area including narcotics, prostitution, gang-related activity, noise and fighting, and people coming and going at all hours," Sainz said. "SDPD continually works to investigate and address illegal gambling dens throughout the city of San Diego."