Police raid Alameda gambling den, seize equipment, firearms and cash

ALAMEDA — A suspected illegal gambling den that had been operating for months out of a residence was raided by police Tuesday who seized slot machines, table games and cash, among other items, authorities said.

One person was cited and released pending further investigation as a result of the raid, which authorities said was the first of a illicit gambling operation in recent memory in Alameda.

The raid occurred at 9 a.m. Tuesday at a residence in the 600 block of Haight Avenue. It was the result of a months long investigation, including surveillance, by police after the Community Resource Unit received information about possible illegal gambling happening there, authorities said.

Capt. Jeffery Emmitt said Thursday that the den operated primarily from late night to early morning hours and the number of gamblers varied.

Numerous officers with a search warrant took part in the raid, and a drone was used to give police at the scene “real time information,” he said.

The raid netted police slot machines, table games, a rifle, an air rifle, ammunition, cash and drug paraphernalia, authorities said.

Police said one person was cited and released for drug related offenses. Police have not said if the person was a gambler or a den operator.

Police said such raids are extremely rare in Alameda. Emmitt said in his 26 years with the department he could not recall one.

The case remains under investigation. Police have been in contact with the district attorney’s office but so far no one has been formally charged.