7 Arrested In Long Beach Raid On Illegal Gambling, Drug and Prostitution Ring

LONG BEACH (CBSLA) – At least seven people were arrested in a raid Tuesday morning on a Long Beach discount store which was operating as a front for an illegal gambling, drug and prostitution ring, authorities said.

Long Beach police and SWAT officers conducted the raid sometime before 8:30 a.m. at a 98-Cent Plus store at East Anaheim Street and Dawson Avenue.

Twenty-seven men and women were detained and seven others arrested, police confirmed to CBS2. No names were immediately released.

Several people had been living inside the store as well, police said.

An employee who works nearby told CBS2 that the storefront used to be a market, but it was sold last year. Since then, he said he witnessed sketchy activity taking place there.

Police said the store had security cameras which the suspects were using for their own activities.

Officers boarded up the store after conducting Tuesday's raid. It's unclear who currently owns the building.