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Read Full BioMalaysian police have raided an illegal cockfighting and lottery tournament, arresting 124 people and recovering the bodies of several dead birds.
The Star reported that almost 100 officers and special agents conducted the raid. These included members of the police Anti-Vice, Gambling, and Secret Societies division and the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department. Police canine units and veterinarians also participated in the raid.
Cockfighting Raid: Police Hunt for More Suspects
Officers said 46 of the arrestees are Malaysian nationals. The remaining 78 are Indonesian passport holders, some of whom police think may be illegal immigrants.
The hunt is on for more gamblers and betting organizers, with police examining mobile phones they found at the scene in the hope of finding clues.
Police began probing the ring in October last year, tracing its operations to a heavily forested area near the town of Sungai Buloh, in the state of Selangor.
A spokesperson explained that officers used aerial drones to conduct surveillance prior to their surprise raid. They used the drones to plan the operation, entering the forest via an unmarked dirt road.
Police said they rescued 52 live birds from the scene. The birds are currently being cared for by the government’s Department of Veterinary Services pending a court ruling.
Officers also found the bodies of seven dead animals at the scene.
They confiscated several sets of steel cockfighting spurs and a scale used to weigh fighting birds. Officers say they think six of the Indonesian suspects organized the cockfights.
A Malaysian is believed to have masterminded the lottery. Officers also confiscated gambling equipment for a popular betting-based board game called bola golek and RM145,855 (over $34,000) in cash.
Suspects May Serve Three-Year Jail Sentences
Police are ready to charge the individuals with gambling law and animal welfare-related violations. Malaysian courts have the power to jail individuals who intentionally harm animals for up to three years.
Some arrestees will also face punishment under Malaysia’s immigration laws.
The spokesperson told citizens to report suspicious gatherings in forest areas, warehouses, and disused buildings, explaining: “Community vigilance is our strongest weapon. With the public’s help, we can prevent cruel cockfights. We must protect families from the social harm caused by illegal gambling.”
Last month, the Mexican state of Chiapas authorized the temporary return of regulated cockfighting following a backlash from residents opposing a ban.
The controversial sport remains popular in many parts of Mexico, where it has been awarded cultural heritage status.
Malaysian law prohibits most forms of onshore gambling, with the sole exception of a legal casino that operates in the Genting Highlands.
