Cock-fighting gamblers nabbed

Cock-fighting gamblers nabbed

JAKARTA (JP): Police have arrested six men and are seeking four others believed to be involved in gambling on cock fighting in West Jakarta.

The six, who are now in detention at the local police precinct, were caught red-handed during the fight in the Kota Bambu subdistrict at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

"When police officers arrived at the scene, most of the cock owners, gambling men and spectators dispersed and tried to flee, but more than 30 were arrested," City Police spokesman Lt. Col. A. Latief Rabar said yesterday.

The police, raiding the cock fighting based on a tip off, captured 35 people, including a woman, Latief added.

After an intensive interrogation, 29 people were later released by police as they found no strong evidence to detain them.

Among the six arrested, one was identified as Anton, 32, believed to have acted as the gambling operator and manager of the cock-fighting arena.

Along with the suspects, the police confiscated nine cocks, usually sold at over Rp 100,000 (US$46.50) each.

Except Anton, all of the suspects, including the four who are still at large, are owners of fighting cocks.

Local residents said that gambling has been going on at the site on Sundays and public holidays for about a year. (bsr)