Op Dadu: Police nab two in Saratok for suspected illegal lottery

SARATOK (Jan 29): Police arrested two local men for alleged involvement in illegal lottery activities during an ‘Op Dadu’ operation in Saratok on Wednesday.

Sarawak police chief DSP Mathew Manggie said the the first suspect, aged 22, was arrested at a hut in Roban.

“Police seized a mobile phone, a piece of paper containing handwritten lottery numbers, a black ink pen and some cash,” he said in a statement.

Mathew said initial investigations revealed that the suspect admitted to selling illegal lottery numbers around Roban town and was waiting alone at the location for customers at the time of the raid.

“Checks on the suspect’s mobile phone found access to a website believed to be used for illegal lottery sales. The suspect tested negative for drugs in a urine screening,” he said, adding that the suspect has one prior drug-related record.

He said the second suspect, aged 72, was arrested at a workshop premises along Jalan Wawasan here.

“The suspect admitted to operating as an illegal lottery agent at the premises while working as a cash-on-delivery courier as a side income. Police seized a mobile phone and some cash,” he said.

Mathew said the suspect, who has a prior record under the Common Gaming Houses Act, also tested negative for drugs in a urine screening.

He said both cases, investigated under Section 4A(a) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, have been classified as completed.

Mathew said that during the operation, police inspected four premises as part of efforts to curb illegal gambling activities in the district.

He stressed that police will continue to conduct enforcement operations and urged the public to provide information on illegal gambling activities to help maintain public order and safety.