Student, senior citizen nabbed for illegal gambling

KUCHING: A 17-year-old student and a senior citizen were among 41 individuals nabbed during a state-wide crackdown by police on illegal gambling activities here last week.
The suspects, aged between 17 and 70, were arrested at 26 locations in the state during the week-long operation, which ended on Sunday.
Sarawak Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief SAC Datuk Dev Kumar (pix) said all suspects, who include 16 women, were arrested under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953.
"A total of 26 people were also arrested for operating and buying lottery tickets (4D) from illegal counters opened in public places.
"Portable printers, betting slips and stationery were also seized during the operations.
"Police seized RM6,633 in cash," Dev added.
He said police also arrested two people and seized 34 computers and tablets at illegal cyber gambling dens in Bau and Marudi.
Eight men were arrested for illegal off-course betting (horse racing) at a food court at Kenyalang Park near here, and five others were rounded up while playing blackjack at a grocery shop in Sibu.
"The state CID will continue conducting raids to rid the city and other parts of the state of illegal gambling activities," Dev said.
Meanwhile, in a separate raid the state CID conducted "Ops Noda" as a measure to combat vice activities in the city.
"From March 17 to 19, police conducted raids at five reflexology centres in Kuching and Padawan.
"A total of 26 individuals were arrested. Among them were four male caretakers of the premises.
"A total of 22 foreign women, believed to be engaged in vice activities, were also arrested. Ten of them are Chinese nationals, eight Vietnamese and four Filipinos," Dev added.
The suspects are being investigated for offences under the Penal Code, Immigration Act and Entertainment Ordinance.
Dev further stressed police are issuing a stern warning to all massage parlours and reflexology centres that continue employing foreign prostitutes that police will be knocking on their doors soon.