Salinas Police discovers an illegal gambling operation in North Salinas

SALINAS, CA. (KION-TV): An illegal gambling operation bust happened on England Avenue outside of Salinas, in the Bolsa Knolls neighborhood Tuesday afternoon.

Some neighbors described what they witnessed.

“I was just outside my house because they were telling people to come out with their hands raised,” said Michelle Leahy, who lives in the Bolsa Knolls neighborhood. “I didn’t visually see it, I could only see the back of the vehicles, most of the vehicles were around England and Paul.”

Salinas Police said their Violence Suppression Task Force received a tip of the illegal gambling operation, they then executed a search warrant on England Avenue.

“It was multiple residences, they were kinda connected and the gaming area [and were] in a separate area next to the residences,” said Brian Johnson, Commander for the Salinas Police.

Commander Johnson said all the people inside the residences had to get out when they executed the search warrant.

“These were residences that were right next to the gaming that was taking place, and in order to execute the search warrant we had everyone from the property get out so we can do the whole search warrant and deem the place is safe,” said Johnson.

Salinas Police said the gambling area was inside a shack and there they saw six poker machines, drugs–including meth and heroine–and an illegal firearm. Salinas Police said when they executed the search warrant, there were 13 people who came out of the shack, ​including women and children.

Salinas police said their VSTF team is still investigating the case and no arrests have been made. They took the poker machines and firearm for evidence.

And for people like Michelle, she said she’s relieved that Salinas Police took action.

“Glad it was discovered so it can stop,” said Leahy.