More than 70 arrested after illegal gambling raid in Malaysia

• Police in Malaysia took down an illegal gambling and cockfighting ring
• In a raid on Sunday, law enforcement arrested 72 individuals, including two who allegedly organized the activities
• Cash and live birds were found and seized

In another operation against illegal gambling, dozens of suspects were arrested while cash and chickens were found and seized.

The police operation hit an illegal cockfighting and gambling syndicate located in Klang, seizing thousands of dollars in cash and detaining gamblers and two suspected ringleaders.

Suspects detained, cash seized

The operation against illegal gambling took place Sunday afternoon, a report by the Sun reveals.

Police raided an orchard located close to the Bayu Perdana Apartments in Klang, where illegal gambling and cockfighting had been taking place.

Investigating the criminal case, law enforcement uncovered that cockfighting matches were organized on Sundays.

Looking further into the unlawful activities, police said that bets on each cockfighting match could hit RM 10,000 in wagers, or approximately $2,500.

During the raid, a total of 72 people were arrested. The aforementioned number included foreigners and nationals, as well as two individuals suspected of holding leadership roles.

The detainees were between the ages of 20 and 70, according to police and 41 were locals, while 31 were foreigners.

With the police investigation still ongoing, the suspects may face tough charges for engaging in illegal gambling, offenses under Malaysia's Immigration Act and charges under the Animal Welfare Act.

In addition to the arrest of the suspects, law enforcement found more than RM 55,000 in cash, or $13,600.

While the cash was seized, police also found 14 live chickens, as well as four dead birds, likely after fights that had taken place on the day of the raid.

According to local police, the illegal gambling and cockfighting ring has been operating for approximately six months.

The latest raid marks another effort by Malaysia against illegal gambling and cockfighting, the latter, an inhumane activity that some people see as a "sport" to place bets on.

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