Kandal provincial police are questioning 12 suspects after arresting them on January 2 for betting on cockfighting and dice in Kandal Stung district’s Kandork commune.
According to the police report, the raid followed a tip-off from the locals. There were a group of about 50 people aged 33 to 58 involved in the gambling. Eight of the 12 detainees are from Takhmao town, one from Kandal Stung district, and another three from Phnom Penh.
Provincial police chief Chhoeun Socheth told The Post on January 4 that one of the detainees is a bodyguard. Police are searching for the ringleader and owner of the cockfighting place.
“This cockfighting place is located in the jungle, with only one entrance. We conducted the raid after receiving a tip-off. We have not sent them to court yet,” he said.
Socheat said the authorities would continue to crack down on all illegal gambling activities in the province to ensure security and maintain social order, as such cases continue to happen.
“We have tried our best to educate people about the [harm of] gambling because it causes social unrest and insecurity in the locality. Our authorities have raided all these places and we will not let it happen again,” he said.
Affiliated Network for Social Accountability (Ansa) executive director San Chey told The Post on January 4 that prolonged illegal gambling will lead people to become addicted to it.
He claimed that some corrupt officials have turned a blind eye and are even present at illegal gambling sites for their own benefits instead of cracking down on them.
“This activity would make people think that there is no legal issue with gambling, which is the cause of crime. So, if we want safety in [the] community, we should crack down all gambling activities. Gambling can lead to [people] committing theft, robbery or even murder.”
