PETALING JAYA, Sept 6 — A total of 174 individuals were detained in Selangor under the Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (POCA) during the first eight months of this year.

Selangor Police Chief Datuk Abdul Samah Mat said this was the biggest arrest in the country compared to other states.

"This number involves those who were involved in secret society criminal activities (24), serious crimes (114), property (33) and gambling activities (3),” he told reporters after attending the Selangor Police Contingent’s monthly gathering at the Petaling Jaya Police Headquarters here today.

He said the number recorded this year was less compared with the same period last year which was 209 comprising 21 secret society cases, serious crimes (102), property (46), gambling (14) and human trafficking (six).

Commenting on online gambling activities, he said 3,602 raids were carried out on illegal gambling premises from January to August this year and 5,609 individuals arrested.

"Also seized were computers, gambling machines, laptops, tablet, hand phone and simulator worth RM31.3 million as well as cash amounting to more than RM200,000 seized,” he said. — Bernama