JOHOR BARU: Police have arrested 711 people for being involved in illegal gambling during raids statewide this year.

Johor police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat (pic) said the police also confiscated cash worth RM237,918 and various items used in the illegal activities.

“All of the suspects arrested were aged between 17 and 60 and were nabbed during raids conducted from January to June this year.

“We also conducted 632 raids in the same period statewide,” he said in a statement here on Saturday (June 10).

Comm Kamarul Zaman added that police confiscated 782 mobile phones, eight tablets, one computer, and five laptops.

In the latest operation on Saturday, a total of 187 premises were raided across the state.

“The raid was led by Johor Criminal Investigation Department chief SAC Kamaruzaman Elias together with 183 officers and policemen, 63 Tenaga Nasional Bhd personnel, and 31 enforcement teams from the local councils,” he added.

The premises have been used as a gambling den, and the police have cut off the electricity supply under Section 21A of the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953, said Comm Kamarul Zaman.

“We will continue to conduct such operations to ensure that all illegal gambling activities in the state are eradicated.

“The action to cut off their power supply is to ensure that these premises are not used to carry out illegal activities again” he said, adding that stern action will be taken against those nabbed.