Four local men were arrested during a police raid on suspected cockfighting activities at an oil palm plantation along Jalan Bayan Ulu on Saturday.
Mukah district police chief DSP Muhamad Rizal Alias said the operation was conducted at about 2pm by officers from the Criminal Investigation Division of IPD Mukah following intelligence and public information.
He said officers found a group of individuals allegedly involved in cockfighting when the raid was carried out, prompting them to flee into a nearby forest upon noticing police presence.
Police then pursued the suspects and managed to detain four men aged between 30 and 48.
Authorities also seized three live roosters, one dead chicken, two cockfighting spurs, a weighing scale, gambling paraphernalia and RM55 in cash.
All suspects were taken to IPD Mukah for further investigation.
Urine tests on all four men returned negative for drugs, although checks revealed that one had a prior criminal record.
The case is being investigated under Section 73(1)(g) of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999, which carries penalties of a fine, imprisonment, or both upon conviction.
Police have reminded the public to avoid illegal gambling activities, warning that such offences can lead to legal action, financial loss and social problems.
