KOTA KINABALU: Sabah police have arrested 35 people in a statewide anti-gambling operation over the Chinese New Year period.
State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief Senior Asst Comm Azmi Abd Rahim said the detainees comprised 23 men and 12 women, aged between 20 and 75.
He said a total of 10 raids were carried out in the state capital, Kota Marudu, Kota Belud and Semporna under the operation dubbed “Op Limau” from Feb 5 to 15.
“We also seized RM54,911 in cash,” he said, when contacted on Tuesday (Feb 20).
“Besides that, we confiscated gambling paraphernalia such as cards, gambling chips and mahjong tiles, among others,” he added.
SAC Azmi said the operation was aimed at curbing gambling activities, either held by individuals or syndicates who took advantage of the festive period to make a quick buck.
He said those arrested were being investigated under the Common Gaming Houses Act 1957.
He added a total of 179 officers and personnel from the state CID were involved in the operation.
