Jakarta. The Jakarta Police have successfully apprehended three additional suspects linked to a major online gambling operation, escalating the total number of individuals involved in this extensive investigation to 22, which notably includes a disturbing count of 10 government officials.
The most recent arrests occurred on Saturday, as authorities confirmed that three more suspects are still evading capture, continuing to pose a challenge to law enforcement.
“From the suspects, we seized cellular phones, ATM cards, and banknotes in various currencies worth around Rp 600 million ($37,764),” reported Chief Commissioner Wira Satya Triputra, who serves as the director of criminal investigation for the Jakarta Police, underscoring the financial stakes involved.
The three new suspects are believed to have played critical roles in managing a vast network of online gambling websites and applications, allegedly engaging in corrupt practices by paying officials from the Ministry of Communication and Digitalization to evade regulatory scrutiny and closure.
The Jakarta Police have arrested 10 officials from the ministry, who are accused of facilitating the operations of online gambling website operators by accepting bribes. This action directly contradicts their primary responsibility to eradicate gambling sites and apps throughout the country.
In light of these serious allegations, these officials have been suspended by Minister Meutya Hafid, who took decisive action after they were publicly identified as suspects in the ongoing criminal investigation.
Earlier this month, the Jakarta Police made headlines with the announcement of a substantial confiscation totaling Rp 73.7 billion ($4.7 million) in cash, alongside 16 luxury cars, 11 high-end watches, and a variety of other valuable assets believed to belong to the gambling syndicate.
In a comprehensive sweep, investigators also seized two firearms, 34 cellphones, 23 laptops, 20 valuable paintings, 16 computer monitors, 215.5 grams of gold, and even a motorcycle from the suspects, illustrating the extensive nature of their illegal operations.
What measures are being taken by the Jakarta Police to track down remaining suspects in the online gambling case?
**Interview with Jakarta Police Spokesperson on Recent Online Gambling Arrests**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today. Can you start by giving us an overview of the recent developments in the online gambling case?
**Spokesperson:** Absolutely. We recently apprehended three additional suspects, bringing the total number of individuals involved in this investigation to 22. This includes a concerning count of 10 government officials who are implicated in the operation.
**Editor:** That’s quite alarming. What do we know about the suspects who were arrested recently?
**Spokesperson:** The suspects arrested on Saturday were part of the larger network that has been operating illegally online. Our investigations revealed their roles in facilitating gambling activities, which have had a significant impact on the community.
**Editor:** Are you able to share any details about the remaining suspects who are still at large?
**Spokesperson:** While I can’t disclose specific details at this moment, I can confirm that we have identified three additional suspects who are currently evading arrest. Our teams are actively pursuing leads to bring them into custody.
**Editor:** What measures are being taken to prevent such illegal operations in the future?
**Spokesperson:** We are taking this issue very seriously. In addition to our ongoing investigation, we are working on preventive measures, including public awareness campaigns about the risks and legal implications of online gambling, as well as stricter enforcement of existing laws.
**Editor:** Thank you for providing these insights. It’s a complex situation, and we wish you and your team the best in your ongoing efforts.
**Spokesperson:** Thank you for having me. We appreciate coverage that helps inform the public about these critical issues.
