Zero-tolerance against illegal gambling to continue, says state CID chief
KUCHING: The police will push on with its zero-tolerance approach to eradicate illegal gambling activities in the state.
Sarawak CID chief Datuk Dev Kumar said a total of 34 raids against illegal gambling were conducted by police across 12 districts in the state last week, targeting illegal lottery operations, cyber gambling, cock-fighting and gambling in public places.
“The CID conducted nine raids in Kuching, seven in Miri, five in Sibu, four in Padawan, two in Dalat, and one each in Kota Samarahan, Bintulu, Serian, Lawas, Marudi and Matu Daro,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Dev Kumar said as a result of the raids, 75 individuals aged between 16 and 62 - including 21 women and five foreigners - were arrested for alleged involvement in these illegal activities.
“Cash amounting to RM10,426 was also seized during the raids, in addition to various items such as portable printers, mobile phones, calculators, betting slips and stationeries.”
He noted that of the 34 raids, 29 were against illegal gambling which resulted in the arrest of 35 individuals and seizure of cash amounting to RM9,685.
Three raids were conducted at cyber gambling and fish machine outlets in Miri that saw 17 individuals arrested and 22 computers and laptops seized along with RM741 in cash.
Other raids took place at a cockfighting pit in Sibu on Sunday and at a public area in Dalat where six were nabbed for playing ‘Holo’.
All those arrested are being investigated for offences under the Common Gaming House Act 1953, as well as the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance 1962.
“The state police notes that with sustained operations since early this year, gambling syndicates have almost been crippled.
“However, the war to eradicate gambling in the state is far from over as illegal lottery outlets are bent on continuing to operate despite the numerous raids.”