Johor cops nab 89 people in 10 days for illegal gambling

JOHOR BARU: Police have arrested 89 individuals in a span of 10 days for being involved in illegal gambling.

State police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said 82 shops were raided from March 19 until March 29, which saw the arrest of 86 shopkeepers while the rest were online gambling participants.

"Most of the shops were located in the Johor Baru south area.

"This brings the total people arrested statewide for online gambling since Jan 1 to 423, where 415 were shopkeepers and eight were those participating in the activities.

"During this period, RM59,143 in cash, 451 mobile phones, seven tablet devices and four laptops were seized.

"Public tip-offs were vital in the arrests and we encourage the people to continue channelling such information to help us," he said here Thursday (March 30), adding that those arrested were aged 17 until 60 years old.

He said Tenaga Nasional Bhd also assisted by cutting off the electricity supply of 40 premises.

The suspects would be investigated under Section 4(1)(c) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, which carries a minimum fine of RM50,000 and maximum jail term of three years upon conviction.

Those with information can contact the Johor police hotline at 07-221 2999.