Kuala Belait - The police have busted an illegal gambling activity in the Belait District, whereby 13 men and two women were apprehended.

Based on a public tip-off, nine Panaga CID personnel raided a government house around the Jalan Maharaja Anaknda area in Kuala Belait that was believed to have been used for an illegal gambling activity.

At the time when the CID personnel arrived to the scene, 11 suspects were found gambling in the dining room while another four were outside the house.

The 15 suspects were comprised of four foreigners, 10 locals and one permanent resident, with ages ranging 29 years to 55 years.

The suspects were believed to have been playing a game of chance known as 'Katam-Katam'. Meanwhile, the money that was found - which amounted to more than B$8,000 - was believed to have been used by the suspects as gambling tokens.

All the money and items relating to the gambling activity were confiscated as evidence.

The suspects were detained and brought to the Panaga Police Headquarter for further investigation. If proven guilty, they will be prosecuted under Section 6(1) of Common Gambling House Act Chapter 28.

The Royal Brunei Police Force meanwhile thanked the public for their information and urged continuity in cooperating to combat gambling activities in Brunei.

Furthermore, the police will continue to strengthen law enforcement to combat crime and protect the safety of the public.