BUKIT MERTAJAM, MALAYSIA: Police have busted an illegal online betting syndicate involving foreign football leagues with the arrest of two men at a double-storey shophouse in Taman Usahaniaga here on Saturday.

Seberang Prai Tengah police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Anil Shah Abdullah said the suspects, aged 37 and 38, were caught while processing bets during the 1am raid by the district Commercial Crime Investigation Department.

He said a team, led by Assistant Superintendent Ridzuan Mohd Ihsan, moved in after placing the house under surveillance for several days.

"Police have seized computers and communication gadgets, football match schedules and betting slips."

Initial investigations showed the syndicate received up to RM30,000 in bets for each match.

In a separate case, the district narcotics division arrested two drug pushers and seized 250g of cannabis at the Prai wharf.

Anil said the drug was wrapped in a plastic bag and found on the duo aged 36 and 45. They were arrested at 3.45pm at a stall in the area. Both of them have history of drug-related offences.