US police raided a series of Vietnamese cafes, confiscating more than 100 slot machines.

Dozens of US police officers raided Vietnamese cafes in San Jose last night and confiscated more than 100 illegal gambling machines in an unprecedented crackdown there.

FBI agents confiscated slot machines at Xinh Xinh cafe. Photo: SJMC

According to San Jose Mercury News, search warrants were simultaneously executed at 11 locations, starting at around 6 p.m. This was the culmination of a year and a half long investigation involving not only illegal gambling but also “dozens of violent incidents” over “territory” disputes.

At least one murder is suspected to be linked to the violence.

Local police and FBI agents seized more than 100 slot machines from the locations and detained dozens of people. However, after questioning, no one was arrested.

The cafes have between three and 10 slot machines, each generating between $1,000 and $5,000 a week.

Xinh Xinh Cafe, one of 11 locations searched. Photo: SJMC

At Xinh Xinh cafe, 8 machines were confiscated and nearly 20 customers and employees were detained.

"I was shocked," said a waitress there. "They just barged in." However, she acknowledged the presence of slot machines in a prominent location in the restaurant.

A customer at Cafe 168 protested the police's actions as arbitrary. "They rushed into the shop, shouted, pointed guns at customers, and tied us up," said Vu Nguyen, a 40-year-old resident.

He said he was unaware of the gambling in the bar. "I was playing pool with my friends, and I turned around and saw two guns pointed at me. What did I do wrong?", Nguyen said.

In November 2013, US police busted an illegal gambling ring in a series of San Jose cafes. Eight people were arrested and charged in federal court. Just like in the case two years ago, the illegal gambling operation busted yesterday is suspected to be linked to organized crime.

Several other illegal gambling cases were also discovered in San Jose earlier this year.

According to Vnexpress