In a major crackdown on illegal gambling, the Proddatur Two Town police have dismantled an organized cricket betting syndicate operating within the town. Police arrested 13 individuals and recovered cash, frozen bank funds, and electronic devices collectively valued at over Rs 25 lakh.
Operation Details
Proddatur ASP U Vibu Krishna disclosed the details of the operation during a press conference on Saturday. Acting on precise intelligence gathered by the ASP, a special law enforcement team led by Proddatur Two Town Inspector P Vamsinath initially apprehended two key suspects, identified as Shaik Javeed, alias Balaji, and Ellala Shaik Jilan. Following a rigorous interrogation, the duo confessed to operating a widespread, organised betting network in a syndicate formation with several others.
Systematic Roundup
To systematically round up the entire network, special police teams were deployed across the Proddatur sub-division. The operation culminated near the Yerraguntla Bypass Road, where all 13 syndicate members were taken into custody.
Seizures and Recoveries
During the raid, the police seized Rs 11.34 lakh in cash directly from the accused. Additionally, immediate action was taken to freeze an amount of Rs 14.12 lakh held across various bank accounts linked to the betting operations, bringing the total monetary seizure to Rs 25 lakh. Law enforcement officials also confiscated 17 mobile phones and an iPad used to facilitate the illegal betting activities.
The police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act. Further investigations are underway to trace any other associates and financial transactions related to the syndicate.
