THE Magistrate’s Court in George Town today rejected a police application to remand four individuals, including a woman and three foreign nationals, who were detained on suspicion of involvement in illegal football betting activities.
Magistrate Nadratun Naim Mohd Said made the decision after police sought a remand order against the suspects, aged between 29 and 44.
All four were among 28 individuals detained in connection with Op Soga XI, a special police operation targeting illegal gambling syndicates in conjunction with the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Earlier, the suspects arrived at the George Town Magistrate’s Court in handcuffs under police escort.
Police said the group was arrested during a raid conducted last Friday at a condominium unit at The Light Collection 1 in Gelugor.
Authorities said a total of 21 raids had been carried out across Penang since June 11 as part of efforts to curb football-related betting activities.
In a related development, police also dismantled two football betting call centres during the same operation. - June 30, 2026
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