"While her son was playing with the putty ball toy, it ruptured and a white powdery substance came out," Detective Miguel Torres said.
The mother called police, who determined the white powder tested positive for cocaine. Detectives examined the machine and seized a total 4.8 ounces of cocaine.
Police said a phone number on the machine returns to a company calling itself Snack Time Vending. Investigators are asking any businesses using the company's machines to remove them from public access and contact police.
Alfredo Sanchez, a spokesman for Taqueria Los Altos, said the restaurant is not affiliated with the vending machine company.
"We contracted with this company for the past couple years, but no way are we affiliated with this company. We only lease the location to the company," Sanchez said in a statement provided to CBS Los Angeles.
