PETALING JAYA: A cockfighting den in Klang has been busted in a police raid.
Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Shazeli Kahar said that the den, the site of both cockfighting and "bola golek" matches, was shut down in an operation at an illegal plantation area near the Bayu Perdana Apartments.
(Bola golek involves spinning a small ball on a board with symbols or numbers, and placing bets on the symbol/number where it lands.)
"We arrested 72 men aged between 20 and 70 who were found to be involved in gambling and cockfighting activities at the location," he said in a statement on Monday (Jan 19).
"Those arrested included two men who acted as organisers, as well as 70 players – 41 Malaysians and 31 foreigners.
"Cash amounting to RM55,075.00 and various gambling paraphernalia were seized.
"The police and veterinary officers also found 14 live cockerels and four dead ones that were believed to have been killed during matches."
Comm Shazeli said investigations found that the syndicate had been active for around six months and used the plantation as cover for their matches every Sunday.
Bets of as much as RM10,000 are believed to have been placed on each match.
All the suspects were brought to the South Klang district police headquarters for further investigation.
"Selangor police emphasise that efforts to combat illegal gambling will be intensified from time to time.
"Those with any information on criminal activity are urged to come forward and report it to the police to safeguard the community's safety and well-being in this state," Comm Shazeli said.
