ALOR STAR: The police’s federal special task force for anti-vice, gaming and gangsterism (STAGG) busted three major illegal gambling syndicates in the city following the arrest of 20 agents in simultaneous raids at 14 premises here today.
Its assistant director Senior Assistant Commissioner Khairi Ahrasa said the three syndicates were processing a combined illegal bets amounting to RM2.6 million annually.
He said the raiding party had rounded up 20 agents, seven of them, women, aged between 33 and 57, during the hour-long operation codenamed ‘Ops Dadu Keriang’ which began at 4pm.
“The raids were carried out in sundry shops, telecommunications shops, restaurants and coffee shops.
“We have seized cash totalling RM11,385, 32 cell phones, a printer, two mobile printers, 14 calculators and 29 betting slips during the operation.
“Investigation showed that these syndicates are capable of processing bets up to RM15,000 daily and RM180,000 monthly, which brings the annual collection of RM2.6 million annually,” he said in a press statement today.
The agents are being investigated under Section 4A (a) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 for assisting in carrying out public lottery which carries a fine up to RM200,000 and also imprisonment of not more than five years, upon conviction.