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)