San Diego police busted an illegal gambling den on El Cajon Boulevard near 48th street on Tuesday morning, taking several people into custody and seizing 23 slot machines, as well as cash and drugs.

Photos show nine of the machines powered up, surrounded by cheap folding chairs in a relatively sorry-looking tableau.

A second raid took place in the 1100 block of 3rd Avenue in Chula Vista the following morning, where a "large" amount of money was seized, as well as another 39 of the machines.

In a news release issued Thursday, SDPD argued that gambling dens can blight a neighborhood, attracting criminal activity like drug sales and violence.

Police are urging anyone with information about similar activity to report it at 619-531-2000. Tips can also be called in anonymously to Crime Stopp

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