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- One of the online gambling dens raided by the CID team.
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- Policemen run a search at a small store, suspected of running illegal 4D operation, as the caretaker (centre) looks on.
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- Items seized during the raids against illegal 4D operations in Kuching.
KUCHING: Forty-one individuals including 16 women were apprehended during 26 gambling raids conducted throughout the state last week, from which police also confiscated cash amounting to RM6,633.
State CID chief Dato Dev Kumar said those detained were found to be publicly promoting illegal four-digit lotteries (4D), running illegal online gambling, operating illegal gambling machines and also gambling at public places.
The suspects are aged between 17 and 70.
“We have been observing the mushrooming of counters selling illegal 4Ds in the state. Apparently, this illegal activity is rearing its ugly head again, especially in Kuching city.
“The state police do not condone such illegal activities being conducted openly,” he said, adding that 26 individuals were arrested during 22 raids against illegal 4D operations.
“Mobile phones, portable printers, calculators, betting slips and stationery items were also seized from these raids, which were concentrated at the Kenyalang commercial area in that they were the source of many public complaints,” Dev pointed out.
The police headquarters carried out 14 raids – two each here, in Padawan and Sibu; and one each in Kota Samarahan, Bau, Saratok, Bintulu, Miri and Marudi.
The online gambling raids conducted in Bau and Marudi resulted in the arrest of two individuals, as well as the seizure of 34 computers and tables used for the activity.
On this, Dev added: “During one of the illegal 4D raids on a food court at Kenyalang, police stumbled upon a group of eight men actively involved in illegal off-course betting (on horseracing). They were arrested. Police also confiscated horseracing schedules, mobile phones and betting slips from them.
“All those arrested are being investigated for offences under the Common Gaming House Act 1953.”
Dev said the state CID would continue conducting raids to rid the city and other parts of the state of illegal gambling activities.
“We thank members of the public for continuously furnishing us with information on illegal gambling activities and supporting us on our efforts,” he said.