In a crackdown on illicit activities, the San Jose Police Department has ended the run of an illegal casino and brothel in the 2400 block of Autumnvale Drive, confining five suspects and uncovering a cache of weapons and drugs in the process. The sting, executed by the department's METRO Unit Officers with support from various specialized teams, dealt a significant blow to underground crime in the area.

The month-long investigation culminated on December 27, when law enforcement descended on the site, believed to be a front for a gambling den, drug sales, and prostitution. Among those arrested were San Jose residents Nido Nguyen, 35, Phuong Nguyen, 44, Windie Pratt, 41, Anai Garcia, 24, and Antioch resident Saolepea Liu, 42. Seized in the operation were 33 firearms, including assault weapons, a staggering 150,000 rounds of ammunition, 500 pounds of marijuana, and roughly $20,000 in cash, according to police.

Adding a human angle to the sordid affair, authorities also discovered adult female survivors at the location. These individuals were provided immediate resources and information about their rights, an act of support in a situation where exploitation often leaves its victims voiceless and resourceless. The five suspects are now facing multiple felony charges and have been booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail.

Nevertheless, the investigation remains open, and the public is encouraged to provide any information that could lead to further arrests. The SJPD METRO Unit, Human Trafficking Task Force, and Violent Crimes Enforcement Team's collaborative endeavor underscores the department's commitment to ending such operations. Officer Steve Aponte of SJPD underscores the importance of public assistance, stating, "Anyone with information about this case or similar cases is asked to contact," and points to the potential for cash rewards for tips leading to arrests through the Silicon Valley Crime Stoppers Program.