Habibi (centre) showing the items seized from the suspects.
KOTA KINABALU: The police here have busted several illegally operated four-digit lottery activities in Karamunsing, Inanam and Menggatal with the arrest of nine people during an operation conducted from Nov 14 to 18.
These people were operating in shop lots, five-foot ways, residential areas and even in alleyways in the three areas, city police chief ACP Habibi Majinji, said.
Of the nine arrested, six were women, he said, adding that the suspects were aged between 16 and 59 years old. Two of the suspects are Filipinos, he disclosed.
“Eight raids were conducted in the three places, and besides the paraphernalia normally used in illegal four-digit lottery activities, like hand phones, calculators, stationery, we also seized RM2,704 in cash,” he said.
The suspects are being investigated under Section 9 (1) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 and Section 4A (a) of the same Act.
Those found guilty faces a maximum fine of RM5,000 or a maximum imprisonment of six months or both, while those found to have committed an offence under Section 4A (a) can be fined a minimum of RM20,000 to a maximum of RM200,000 and jailed not more than five years.
“The district police would like to thank all those who came forward with information about illegal gambling activities in their areas. It is our hope that this cooperation will continue so that we can eradicate all activities that are against the law of this country,” Habibi said.