As published recently in LA Downtown News, Los Angeles Police seized more than 1,000 illegal slot machines in a warehouse raid last Thursday near Downtown.

The bust happened in the 1700 block of South Hooper Avenue in the industrial neighborhood near 17th street. Police Lt. Paul Vernon said that a warrant was issued early Dec. 8 after undercover vice officers purchased several casino-style slot machines from the location.

In the raid, police found token-operated machines that had been apparently shipped from Asia, Vernon said. Police also found documents that indicated a shipment of 1,000 additional machines was to arrive at the Port of Los Angeles later Thursday.

Those machines were seized by customs officers. Two men were arrested in the sting. They face a variety of charges, including possible tax evasion. Police are investigating whether the operation was part of an underground gambling ring, and are looking into who has purchased machines in the past. It all made for a big haul - police had to use a flatbed truck to unload the machines, which will be destroyed.

"This is the largest seizure of this type in anyone's memory in Los Angeles," Vernon said.