Illegal Gaming Operation Raided in Southern California, Cash, Drugs, Weapons Seized

Posted on: August 13, 2022, 07:59h. 

Last updated on: August 14, 2022, 07:31h.

Ed Silverstein @casinoorgedsilv Read More
Expertise: Legal, Tribal Gaming.

About 40 people were detained following a raid this week at an alleged illegal casino in Ponoma, Calif. Two firearms, cash, and possible illegal narcotics were seized.

illegal gambling operation in Ponoma, Calf.
The approximately 40 people detained outside of an illegal gambling operation in Ponoma, Calf., pictured above. The venue was raided this week. (Image: KABC)

A “large amount” of money was seized from the illegal gaming site, according to police. Eight gaming tables were found. The drugs included a quarter pound of suspected methamphetamine (meth), the Times reported, citing police sources.

Local cops began investigating the gaming operation, located, in a strip mall, after receiving anonymous tips and resident complaints. A judge reviewed their case and approved the search of the Indian Hill Boulevard property.

Ponoma cops and 18 Community Violence Reduction Team members from the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office took part in the raid.

The detained people were released and were not charged or cited after Thursday’s raid, the Los Angeles Times reported. In connection with the gambling operation, police arrested a man in Chico, Calif. He also had a pending warrant for his arrest in connection with a prior theft, police said.

Ponoma is located some 30 miles east of Los Angeles.

Santa Ana Raids

In May, California authorities broke up several illegal gambling dens in Santa Ana as part of a far-reaching investigation. Suspects now face charges in connection with the raids.

A total of nine suspects were either apprehended or are still being sought on gambling charges or related crimes, such as extortion and drug trafficking, feds revealed in May. The gambling joints generated thousands of dollars in profits each day, federal authorities claim. Numerous gambling devices were seized.

The suspects, who reside in California, include Niem Ngoc Ha, also known as “Dung Body,” 46, of Fountain Valley. He allegedly opened and operated four illegal casinos. Mindy Bui, also known as “Thuy,” 36, of Westminster, allegedly managed the illegal venues. Honganh Thi Pham, also known as “Hong,” 40, of Garden Grove, also managed the casinos, feds said.

As of May, authorities were still seeking two other suspects. One is Sammy Cardona, also known as “Peanut,” 36, of Santa Ana. He allegedly used “violence to protect defendant Ha’s illicit casinos,” according to a federal indictment.

Ha was also charged with bribery. He allegedly paid $128,000 to the now-convicted former Santa Ana Police Officer Steven Lopez.

Santa Ana is 34 miles southeast of Los Angeles.

Moratorium on New Card Rooms

Most types of casinos are illegal in California. Tribal casinos on Native American reservations are allowed in the state. Licensed cardrooms are also permitted. As of last year, there were 86 cardroom licenses in California, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. Often, they have poker games.

A current moratorium on more cardrooms expires in 2023, the report adds.

Cardroom Crimes

Cardrooms in the state have been the site of other crimes. For example, at one cardroom, Larry Flynt’s Hustler Casino, an armored truck guard was shot and injured during an Aug. 4 brazen holdup outside the venue, located in Gardena, Calif.

He was in critical condition at a local hospital but was expected to survive, local TV stations reported. A second guard had less serious injuries.

The guards were attacked by a barrage of gunfire when exiting the truck, Gardena police Lt. Christopher Cuff said, calling it an “ambush.” At least two robbers grabbed an unknown amount of money and fled the area, police initially said.

Gardena is 14 miles south of Los Angeles.