He has also given district police chiefs a time frame to eradicate gambling in their areas.

“In an effort to ensure that this is successful, KL police have formed a special team to track down those involved in illegal gambling activities.

“This team is armed with special equipment to track those who are actively linked with online gambling syndicates in five main areas, namely Sentul, Cheras, Dang Wangi, Wangsa Maju and Brickfields.

“I am confident with the special tools, the suspects will not be able to escape as their movements will be monitored.”

He was speaking at a handover of duty to new Traffic Investigations and Enforcement department chief ACP Zulkefly Yahya here yesterday.

Zulkefly replaces SAC Mohd Nadzri Hussain, who was promoted as principal assistant director of the Special Tactical Squad for Anti-Vice, Gambling and Gangsterism (STAGG) in Bukit Aman’s Criminal Investigation Department.

Mazlan’s efforts are also in line with the directive of Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun, who is out to nab gambling and crime syndicates following a stern warning that he will not hesitate to replace any police personnel including state police chiefs who try to protect gambling activities nationwide.

Mazlan said from Oct 18 to Nov 1, police had conducted 16 raids through Ops Dadu to eradicate gambling activities.

They arrested 56 people comprising gambling outlet caretakers, assistants, gamblers and spectators.

“We also seized several electronic devices, among them 44 tablets, 32 phones, four laptops and cash amounting to RM8,178,” he said.