SELANGAU: Police arrested two local women in separate raids here on suspicion of being involved in online gambling and illegal public lottery activities without a licence.
The arrests were made during Op Dadu conducted by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Mukah District Police Headquarters at about 2 pm yesterday.
Mukah District Police Chief DSP Muhamad Rizal Alias said the first raid took place at around 2.50 pm at a convenience store near a petrol station in Selangau town. During the operation, police detained a 34-year-old local woman believed to be involved in online gambling activities.
According to him, an inspection at the premises counter led to the discovery of a smartphone containing access to the trich88.com website, which is believed to have been used for online gambling transactions. Police also seized RM105 in cash from the premises.
“The suspect and the seized items were brought to the Mukah IPD for further action. A urine test conducted on the suspect returned negative for drugs. The case is being investigated under Section 4(1)(c) of the Open Gambling Houses Act 1953,” he said in a statement.
In a separate raid carried out at about 3.40 pm on the same day, police moved to another convenience store located at Pasar Baru Selangau. A second 34-year-old local woman was arrested on suspicion of conducting public lottery trading activities without a valid licence.
Police inspection at the counter area found a smartphone containing an application believed to have been used for illegal lottery transactions. In addition to the smartphone, officers seized a printer, white paper, pencils and RM92 in cash believed to be linked to the activity.
The suspect was also taken to the Mukah IPD for further investigation. A urine screening conducted on her was negative for drugs.
The case is being investigated under Section 4b(a) of the Open Gambling Houses Act 1953.
DSP Muhamad Rizal stressed that police will continue to monitor and take firm action against illegal gambling activities in the district. He reminded the public that operating or participating in gambling activities without proper authorisation is an offence under Malaysian law.
Police urged members of the community to cooperate by providing information to authorities to curb illegal gambling activities, which can have negative social and economic impacts if left unchecked.
