Riverside smoke shop raided in suspected gambling and narcotics investigation

Riverside police raided a downtown smoke shop where illegal gambling and narcotics activities were alleged to have occurred, authorities said Saturday.

The search warrant served at DTOWN Smoke Shop, in the 3400 block of University Avenue, was the result of “numerous complaints” of possible illegal activity that negatively affected neighboring businesses, according to a Riverside Police Department news release.

Vice unit detectives and officers assigned to the Downtown Entertainment District Team served the warrant Thursday, allegedly locating evidence of illegal gambling and narcotics activities, police said.

A store employee was allegedly found in possession of suspected cocaine and a loaded firearm, arrested, and booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for suspicion of possessing a controlled substance for sale and weapons violations, police said.

Agents with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration also went to the business and have opened an investigation into sales and use of tobacco, alcohol and cannabis products, police said.

Anyone with information was asked to contact detectives at RPDViceRiversideCA.gov