Police have begun a crackdown on gangsters ahead of the municipal elections slated for November 24. That’s the word from Interior Minister Hsu Kuo-yung on Wednesday.
With looming elections and increased activity of illegal gambling rings, Hsu said 10 wanted suspects and 52 accomplices have already been arrested. Hsu said the police have stepped up its clampdown on vote-buying and gangsters nationwide, not just in hotly contested cities such as New Taipei and Kaohsiung.
A report released by the National Police Agency (NPA) shows that the money involved in betting is as high as NT$9.7 billion (US$323 million) but only NT$1.63 million (US$54,000) has been confiscated. Hsu said not all money is related to the election.
On Wednesday, NPA director-general Chen Ja-chin vowed to strengthen the crackdown on illegal gambling.
“We are placing a greater emphasis on election-related gambling. The National Police Agency and the Taiwan High Prosecutors Office have already mapped out a plan. Police stations in every city and county will cooperate with investigation offices. No intelligence and evidence will be overlooked and it will be dealt with thoroughly,” said Chen.
Chen said no bets originating from China have yet been uncovered.
