Betting gang busted in Prakasam district

Ongole: Prakasam district Superintendent of Police Siddharth Kaushal on Wednesday announced the arrest of a 16-member gang involved in illegal betting in cricket, kabaddi, elections and other events.

Addressing a press conference at Galaxy complex at the District Police office, the SP explained that the police had kept vigilance on the gang after receiving tip-off. The gang had extended its activities to several places in the State and also Telangana, besides southern and some northern States.

He said some high-profile persons were involved in the mafia activity. The police achieved breakthrough after arresting Pusapati Lakshmaiah in a narcotics case.

The CCS and local police teams arrested another leader of the betting team Kommisetty Ramesh, a native of Bhimavaram in West Godavari district along with their other 15 agents from Nellore, Gudur, Manubolu, Ulavapadiu, Mangalagiri, Bhimavaram, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad and other places. The police seized Rs 16,11,150 cash, a communicator, two laptops and mobile phones from the accused.

The police launched manhunt for the suspect who are still absconding. The SP said those who were cheated by the gan may lodge complaints in police station. He appreciated the CCS DSP A Prasad Kumar, Ongole DSP KVNV Prasad, CCS CI G Ramarao, Town II CI M Rajesh, SIs Shaik Samiulla, Venkateswarlu, Town SI D Rajarao, Jarugumalli SI Kamalakar and others for their efforts in busting the gang.