JOHOR BARU: Johor police detained 181 suspects in 23 raids conducted during the recent Chinese New Year's Op Limau, an operation against indoor and outdoor gambling.
The suspects aged between 20 and 60, included 136 local men, 37 local women, and eight foreigners who included three women.
The 10-day operation between Feb 5 and 15, also saw police seizing RM162,533.50, and various gambling equipment.
Johor police chief Commissioner M. Kumar said Op Limau was launched to curb gambling activities promoted by individuals and syndicate members who had taken advantage of the Lunar New Year holidays to rake in profits by organising illegal gambling activities.
"Over the 10-day span, Johor police conducted 23 raids aimed at cracking down on both indoor and outdoor gambling activities.
"The suspects were found violating the Open Gambling Houses Act 1953, by engaging in numerous gambling activities including traditional and modified games such as Pai Gow, Cho Tai Tee, Leaf Up, Labi, See Kee Pee, Poker, among others," he said.
The case is investigated under Section 6 (1) and Section 7 (2) of the Open Gambling Houses Act 1953, for gambling indoor and outdoor, which penalty includes a fine not exceeding RM5,000, a six-month imprisonment term or both.