Sources said that during the raid, conducted at around 11am, two women and a man believed to be the leader were arrested.

Cash amounting to about RM40,000 was seized, and four bank accounts belonging to the suspect were frozen. The accounts contained more than RM300,000, believed to be the fruits of illegal gambling activities.

“The man involved is believed to have paid bribes to several members of enforcement agencies around Tawau to protect the illegal gambling activities he has carried out over the past few years,” the source said when contacted today.

Sabah MACC director S Karunanithy, confirmed the arrest of the three individuals when contacted, and said all of them were being investigated under the MACC Act as well as laws against money laundering and proceeds of unlawful activities

He said all the individuals involved will be remanded. He did not rule out the possibility of follow-up arrests being made.