Gambling operator walks free after Rp 13.5m payoff
Gambling operator walks free after Rp 13.5m payoff
JAKARTA (JP): A notorious gambling operator was released from
the Central Jakarta Police detention center a day after his
arrest on Tuesday, following an alleged Rp 13.5 million
(US$1,173) payoff made to police detectives by his boss.
A Central Jakarta Police officer said on Thursday that the
gambling operator, identified as Acan Andika, 38, had been
released on Wednesday morning by certain officers of the Central
Jakarta Police vice squad.
"Please do not mention my name. My job is at stake here. Acan
was released on Wednesday. His don got him out, with Rp 13.5
million," a Central Jakarta Police officer told The Jakarta Post
by phone.
While Central Jakarta Police Chief Sr. Comr. Mathius Salempang
could not be reached for comment on the matter, Central Jakarta
Police chief of detectives Comr. Angesta Romano Yoyol said on
Thursday that he had heard a similar rumor about Acan being
released after a payoff.
"However, the fact is, Acan was released because there was not
enough evidence in the case," Yoyol said.
He then urged reporters not publish the story before he had an
opportunity to speak with the officers who had reportedly
received the bribe.
"Please, don't print this story first," Yoyol said.
Normally operating at the parking lot of the Cipto
Mangunkusumo General Hospital (RSCM), Acan was arrested at 6:30
p.m. on Tuesday by Central Jakarta police detectives for gambling
crimes.
Acan's operation involves judi togel or toto gelap, a lottery
based on four numbers released every two or three days by dozens
of gambling operators. Police had seized hundreds of lottery
cards from Acan.
Eyewitnesses saw Acan walking out of the Central Jakarta
Police Headquarters with a woman on Wednesday and rushing toward
a waiting car.
According to the Central Jakarta Police source, Acan has been
arrested for the same crime twice and released in the same manner
on both occasions.
"This is not the only case. There are several gambling
operators who police have arrested on purpose so that they would
be paid off," the officer said.
"Gambling operators pay up to Rp 6 million for each person's
release," the officer disclosed.
Gambling is illegal in Indonesia.
Following Tuesday's arrest, Acan had been interrogated by
police detectives under Article 303 of the Indonesian Criminal
Code on the intentional provision of gambling opportunities.
Any person found guilty of gambling is subject to a maximum 10
years imprisonment under Article 303. (ylt)