Maharashtra: 27 held as police raid three gambling dens in Latur, seize Rs 17.84 lakh

Police apprehended 27 persons for alleged gambling and betting activities during raids at three locations in Maharashtras Latur district officials said on Wednesday Cash mobile phones and vehicles valued at a total of Rs 1784 lakh were seized during the operationsThe raids were carried out by a special team from the Nanded police range as part of a drive against illegal activities in the district Police also launched a helpline called Khabar to allow people to report illegal businesses and gambling activitiesAccording to a police release the special team conducted its first raid on Tuesday at a premises near a restaurant within the limits of Shivajinagar police station The team found a matka betting operation in progress and detained six personsCash and mobile phones seized in first raidPolice seized Rs 12610 in cash and three mobile phones valued at Rs 19000 from the premises the release saidThe operation was part of a wider drive to identify and take action against illegal gambling and betting activities in the district The police said the raids were conducted based on information gathered as part of efforts to curb such activitiesNine persons detained in second operationThe special team later raided a premises near the New Renapur Naka area which falls under the jurisdiction of Vivekanand Chowk police stationNine persons were detained during the raid for their alleged involvement in a betting operation officials said Police seized Rs 19350 in cash and five mobile phones valued at Rs 42000 from the premisesThe second operation brought the total number of persons detained in the two raids to 15 The seizures included cash and mobile phones allegedly being used in connection with the betting activityFarm raid leads to seizure of vehiclesThe third raid was conducted at a farm in the Ahmedpur police station area where police detained 12 persons allegedly involved in gamblingDuring the operation police seized Rs 37320 in cash 12 mobile phones two cars and five motorcycles The vehicles were collectively valued at Rs 1691 lakh the police release saidWith the third operation the total number of persons detained across the three raids reached 27 Police said the combined value of the cash mobile phones and vehicles seized during the operations was Rs 1784 lakhThe latest action comes as police intensify efforts to curb gambling and other illegal activities in Latur district The newly launched Khabar helpline is also intended to provide residents with a channel to share information about illegal businesses and gambling activities with the policePolice said the operations were carried out as part of the ongoing drive by the Nanded police range against illegal activitiesWith inputs from PTI