144 in cuffs after Pahang gambling raids

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 144 people were arrested in massive raids under "Ops Dadu Khas" on illegal gambling joints in Pahang yesterday.
They comprised 122 gamblers and 22 premises operators.
Bukit Aman Special Tactical Squad 3, Special Action Force Anti-Vice, Gambling and Gangsterism (STAGG) principal assistant director SAC Mohd Nadzri Hussain said operators and customers who were arrested comprised 110 locals and 34 foreigners, which includes Bangladeshis, Vietnamese, Cambodians and Indonesians.
"Apart from RM18,116 cash, police also seized gambling paraphernalia.
"It included 15 simulators, 67 slot machine, three calculators, a closed-circuit television (CCTV) recorder and two premises key," he said today.
The raid which started at 9pm, involved business outlets at Kuantan, Gebeng and Air Putih here.
Mohd Nadzri said the the raids were jointly conducted by 38 personnel from Bukit Aman, nine from Pahang state contingent and nine from Kuantan CID.
"We found that these suspects operating illegal gambling activities in snooker outlets and premises which have been turned into family entertainment centre," he added.
He added out of seven premises raided and six of it has their business licenses expired.
Those detained, would be investigated under Section 4B (a), Section 7(2) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act.
On Sept 27 last year, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim had set up a special committee to eliminate gambling activities.
The special committee, headed by Noor Rashid focused on three major areas namely taking stern action on illegal gambling centres, syndicates and those assisting gambling activities.