STAGG praised over crackdown
> IGP congratulates task force for crippling illegal gambling rings nationwide
KUCHING: Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar yesterday congratulated the Special Task Force for Anti-Vice, Gambling and Gangsterism (STAGG) on its recent success in crippling illegal gambling syndicates nationwide.
“Syabas STAGG@PDRMsia for its crackdown on these syndicates,” Khalid tweeted.
The operations were carried out throughout last week, resulting in 992 suspects being detained.
A total of 3,370 units of gambling machines were also seized.
In their latest blitz on illegal gambling, Sarawak police conducted 42 raids between Oct 3 and Oct 10 in 16 towns which led to the arrest of 84 people, including 10 foreigners.
State CID chief Datuk Dev Kumar M.M. Sree Shunmugam said the 42 raids were conducted at various locations – 17 at shoplots, 14 at public places such as five-foot ways, five at coffee shops, five at grocery shops and one at a handphone accessory premises.
He said the raids were conducted on illegal numbers lottery, online gambling and gambling machines, and 4D gambling premises.
theSun on May 5 reported that illegal 4D bookies, especially those who have police records, may find themselves locked away for up to two years under the Prevention of Crime Act (Poca).
The report was made following concerns by netizens who questioned how some illegal 4D operators seemed to spring back into business soon after a police raid.
Meanwhile, in KUALA LUMPUR, Gombak police destroyed 2,993 machines as ordered by the courts yesterday.
The total value of the machines was RM2.5 million.
Gombak police chief ACP Ali Ahmad said police have never protected these illegal gambling operators and will take a hard line against those who operate illegal gambling dens.
“We will not compromise with these illegal gambling operators, especially in Gombak.
“We will and have in the past taken decisive action on these kinds of cases,” he said at a press conference yesterday.
“We have also made over 200 arrests because some cases have more than one person arrested and charged,” he said.