Taipei police dismantle gambling operation during Lunar New Year crackdown

Taipei, Feb. 10 (CNA) Taipei police dismantled an illegal gambling operation early Monday during the capital's Lunar New Year safety crackdown, the Daan Precinct said Tuesday.

In a press release, the precinct said 33 people, including operators, staff and patrons, were taken into custody for involvement in illegal baccarat gambling.

Acting on a search warrant issued by the Taipei District Court, a special task force comprising officers from the Taipei Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division raided the operation at around 3 a.m. Monday, the precinct said.

The gambling venue was located on Section 1 of Anhe Road in Daan District, where police seized NT$910,000 (US$29,000) in cash as evidence, according to the precinct.

A 28-year-old man surnamed Chen (陳) was identified as the manager of the operation and taken into custody, while radio communication devices, surveillance equipment and gambling chips with a value of NT$577.56 million were seized, the precinct said.

After questioning, Chen and other staff members were referred to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office for further investigation on suspicion of violating gambling provisions of the Criminal Code.

The arrested gamblers, meanwhile, will be dealt with under the Social Order Maintenance Act, the precinct said.

The raid took place on the first day of Taipei's 15-day Lunar New Year safety crackdown, which was launched to maintain public order and ensure residents' safety during the holiday period.