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)