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SINGAPORE: The Singapore Police Force ( SPF ) has arrested a 66-year-old man, who was on the run for almost four years, for his suspected involvement in operating illegal gambling dens in Geylang.
The man had been arrested in Malaysia by the Royal Malaysia Police and was handed over to SPF on Feb 28, SPF said in a media release on , Thursday ( Mar 13 ).
He is believed to be a head of a geographically linked planned legal team.  ,
SPF said the gentleman was among 19 people arrested in an islandwide procedure on Oct 24, 2018, and charged in court on Mar 10, 2021, for offences under the Common Gaming House Act.
” The party was believed , to have operated carefully, with a system of valets, assistants and , sponsors, and lookouts deployed at strategic locations to find authorities presence”, said SPF.
The procedure involved continuous attacks at more than 10 areas in places such as Geylang, Sengkang, Bedok and Ang Mo Kio.
The gentleman was likewise charged with organised crime and substance crimes.
Nevertheless, he immediately absconded and failed to turn up in court to face fees for his alleged role in operating the illegal gambling shelters along Lorong 14 and 16 Geylang, said SPF.
The State Courts issued a warrant of arrest against him, and on Feb 13 this year, the Royal Malaysia Police alerted SPF that the man had been arrested in Malaysia for immigration offences and fined RM3, 000 ( S$ 903 or US$ 676 ).
The Malaysian authorities handed the man over to SPF on Feb 28 and he was produced in court on Mar 1 to confront his claims, SPF said.
Under the Organised Crime Act, any man who is convicted of being a part of a geographically linked organised crime party faces a fine of up to S$ 100, 000, up to five years ‘ prison, or both.
Under the , Common Gaming House Act, any man who is convicted of managing or assisting in the supervision of a location used as a popular game house faces a fine of between S$ 5, 000 and , S$ 50, 000 and up to three years in jail.
The person is also facing prison time and a good for his alleged medicine offences.