KOTA KINABALU: Police detained 35 individuals in Op Limau which was conducted state-wide from February 5 to 15 in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration.
Sabah Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief senior assistant commissioner Azmi Abd Rahim 23 men and 12 women aged between 20 and 75 years old were arrested.
"Throughout the operation period, the raiding team carried out a total of 10 raids and arrested 35 individuals along with a cash seizure of RM54,911.
"In addition, the raiding team also seized various gambling equipment including chips of various denominations, playing cards, dice, mahjong tiles, dominoes, and white cloth with symbols," he said when contacted today.
Azmi said the operation aimed to curb gambling activities organised by individuals and syndicates taking advantage to profit especially during the Chinese New Year.
"Gambling, commonly categorised as indoor and outdoor gambling, refers to traditional gambling games and modified traditional games to current developments.
"Among them are dominoes, red and white, playing cards, mahjong, and Cap Ji Kee. The raid locations involved Kota Kinabalu, Kota Marudu, Kota Belud, and Semporna districts," he said.
He said all those detained are currently being investigated under the Open Gambling Houses Act (ARJT) 1957.
The operation involved 179 officers.