PENAMPANG: Police arrested three local men and seized eight live roosters and RM606 in cash in a raid on an alleged cockfighting operation at Kampung Buit Hills, here, on Sunday.
Penampang District Police Chief Supt Sammy Newton said the Ops Dadu operation was carried out by officers and personnel from the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the Penampang District Police Headquarters (IPD) following public information.
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He said the 3pm raid involved a house without a registered address that was suspected of being used as a venue for cockfighting activities.
“Several individuals at the location fled upon realising the presence of police.
“However, the raiding team managed to apprehend three local men aged between 24 and 40,” he said in a statement.
Police also seized eight live roosters, a rubber ring believed to have been used as a cockfighting arena, several related items and RM606 in cash suspected to be linked to the illegal gambling operation.
All suspects and seized items were taken to the Penampang IPD for further investigation.
Initial checks found that the three men had no previous criminal convictions, while preliminary urine screening tests conducted on them returned negative.
The case is being investigated under Section 21 of the Animal Welfare Enactment 2015 for suspected involvement in acts of animal cruelty through cockfighting activities.
Those convicted may face a fine of up to RM100,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years, or both.
Sammy said police would continue to intensify enforcement efforts and would not compromise with individuals involved in illegal gambling activities or acts of cruelty against animals.
He also urged the public to continue channelling information on criminal activities to the police to help ensure public safety, peace and the well-being of the community.
