SJPD Arrests two for Underground Casino Operation, Weapons Possession, and Marijuana Sales

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

During the summer of 2021, the Burglary Prevention Unit (BPU) identified an underground illegal gambling operation operating out of a business in the 1600 block of Rogers Avenue in the City of San José. The location was a hub for a variety of illegal activities including gambling, drug dealing, and the buying and selling of stolen property. BPU obtained a search warrant for the location.

On September 17th, 2021, while the SJPD MERGE unit and patrol Officers served the search warrant, several occupants fled the location by breaking interior walls and tunneling into adjacent businesses. Astute patrol Officers observed the subjects attempting to exit another business and the suspects were arrested. While following the suspects’ route of travel, detectives discovered that one of the businesses the suspects passed through was a massive illegal indoor marijuana growing operation.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for the new location and recovered approximately thirty-three pounds of marijuana, twenty-five pounds of THC product, two handguns, and a loaded high-capacity rifle magazine. 

BPU pursued this new investigation and identified the proprietors of the operation as John and Michael Le (relationship unknown). Detectives obtained arrest warrants for both subjects and search warrants for their homes.

On October 29th, 2021, the SJPD Covert Response Unit (CRU) located and arrested John and Michael Le and served search warrants. BPU detectives and patrol officers recovered over three-hundred pounds of marijuana ($600,000 street value), $30,000 in cash, two firearms, and ammunition. John and Michael Le are both prohibited from possessing firearms. Both suspects were booked into Santa Clara County Jail.