MUKAH: A gambling den operating beneath a swiftlet house in Kampung Tellian Tengah, was busted after police caught four local men red-handed playing the popular dice game — Hoo Hey How (Holo) yesterday.
Acting on a tip-off and days of gathered intelligence, a team from the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) conducted the ‘Ops Dadu’ raid at 6.15 pm.
In the operation, the team found the group — aged between 36 and 66 — completely engrossed in the game, unaware that police were closing in.
Mukah police chief DSP Muhamad Rizal Alias said the team seized RM260 in cash, a game cloth featuring images of a fish, prawn, crab, chicken, tiger and gourd, six dice, two Holo containers, four chairs and a table believed to have been used for the illegal activity.
All the suspects and seized items were taken to Mukah district police headquarters (IPD) for further actions.
“Background checks found that one of the suspects, aged 66, has two prior criminal records, while the other three have clean slates.
“The case is being investigated under Section 6(1) of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, which provides for a fine of up to RM5,000, imprisonment of up to six months, or both, upon conviction,” he said.
Rizal stated that three suspects have been remanded for one day under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code until Oct 31, while one was released on police bail.
Members of the public are urged to continue reporting information on gambling, drugs, or other criminal activities to Mukah police hotline at 084-871222 or any of the nearest police station.
