Malaysian police arrests 216 individuals following 33 anti gambling raids

In two states, Malaysian police conducted 33 anti-gambling operations throughout the Chinese New Year holiday, leading to the arrest of at least 216 individuals.

A total of 181 persons were taken into custody in Johor during 23 operations carried out under the codename “Op Limau.” There were 136 local men, 37 local women, and three male and three female foreigners among the suspects, who ranged in age from 20 to 60.

The Johor Police Chief Commissioner, M. Kumar, said that the operation took place over ten days, from February 5 to February 15. Cash totaling RM162,533.50 ($33,888) and gaming equipment were seized by law enforcement officials.

According to Kumar, “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.”

Police in another part of the country, in Sabah, conducted ten anti-gambling operations and arrested twenty-three men and twelve women, ages twenty-five to seventy-five.

A total of 179 police officers participated in these activities, which took place in the districts of Kota Kinabalu, Kota Marudu, Kota Belud, and Semporna. Cash totaling RM54,911 ($11,448) and gaming accessories, such as dominoes, chips, playing cards, dice, and mahjong tiles, were taken in by the authorities.

Original story by: Asia Gaming Brief