Pregnant woman among nine nabbed over illegal betting activities

PENAMPANG: A pregnant woman was among nine people arrested on suspicion of running illegal betting activities linked to the ongoing World Cup tournament.

Aged between 20 and 39, they were arrested in an operation codenamed Ops Soga between

June 18 and 20, Sabah Deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Omar Mammah (pic) said.

One of the suspects was a 37-year-old Indonesian.

DCP Omar said the 20-year-old pregnant woman has since been released on police bail while the other suspects will be remanded until June 23 and 24 to facilitate investigations under Section 6(3) of the Betting Act.

Among the items seized by the police were RM98,653 in cash, betting sheets, as well as mobile devices and SIM cards.

DCP Omar said police raided five different locations in Kampung Nosoob, Taman Prima Sumundu, Kampung Muhibbah and Donggongon following a week-long surveillance on the syndicate.

“We are finding out about the mastermind and whether the syndicate is part of a bigger network outside Sabah,” he told reporters yesterday.

“Syndicates often take advantage of events like the World Cup to conduct illegal betting activities.

“They operate in many areas, not just one place.

“We are monitoring them.”