Ten foreigners arrested, Rp7.79bil seized as Indonesian police raid Batam casino
Indonesian police raided an illegal casino in Batam, arresting 197 individuals and seizing nearly Rp 7.79 billion in cash. Authorities are currently investigating the organizers and financiers behind the large-scale gambling operation.
Why it matters
The raid highlights ongoing efforts by Indonesian authorities to crack down on illegal gambling networks and cross-border criminal activities.
JAKARTA: Police raided a clandestine casino operating at an entertainment establishment in the Nagoya area of Batam, Riau Islands, on Saturday (Aug 15) evening and arrested 197 people, including 10 foreigners, as well as confiscating Rp 7.79 billion (US$435,715) in cash.
Officers from the National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim) led a joint team in the raid on the gambling den at the Nine Stage Lounge and Bar at about 9.3pm in Batam’s Nagoya Indah Shophouse Block B2 No. 9.
Bareskrim deputy chief Insp. Gen. Nunung Syaifuddin said the raid was the result of an investigation over two to three months.
“This enforcement did not start from a mere public tip off but also information from the press and community leaders in Batam,” he told a press conference at the Batam, Rempang and Galang (Barelang) Police headquarters on Sunday.
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