KUCHING: An ongoing state-wide crackdown on illegal gambling activities netted 50 people last week.
The suspected gamblers and gambling centre operators, staff members and caretakers were picked up from 20 locations across the state during the operation.
Sarawak Criminal Investigation Department chief Datuk Dev Kumar said the raiding party also seized more than RM11,000 in cash, believed to be proceeds from gambling activities in the week-long bust, which began on June 12.
"We also seized several mobile phones, portable printers, calculators, betting slips, stationery and other paraphernalia used for gambling, including three cockerels," he said.
Dev said 17 raids were conducted on premises selling illegal lottery tickets and led to the arrests of 21 people.
Police also nabbed six people at a cyber gambling den in Limbang.
"On 13 June, a team from CID Miri conducted a raid at a cock-fighting pit at Jalan Pujut Padang Kerbau, which resulted in the arrests of 13 people," he said, adding that the suspects tried to flee the scene but were ambushed by the raiding party.
In addition, ten people were arrested for gambling in public spaces, including at the five-foot-way of a shoplot at Taman Malihah, Padawan near here.
"All those arrested are being investigated for offences under the Common Gaming House Act 1953 and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance 1962," Dev added.