Australia makes Asian betting arrests

SYDNEY, June 14 (Reuters) Eight Asian men and women were arrested by Australian police todayday over an alleged illegal World Cup betting operation.

Members of Sydney's Southeast Asian Crime Squad arrested six men from Hong Kong aged between 24 and 46 and two Malaysian women aged 22 and 23 during a swoop on a Sydney hotel.

Police said those arrested had flown into Australia three days ago and accused them of being members of ''an organised betting operation emanating from Asia''.

They said computer equipment, mobile phones, documents and more than A,000 (14,600 dollars) in cash was seized in the raid.

All eight were charged with unlicensed bookmaking before they were handed over to immigration officials. They will appear in court on July 4.

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