A ward-level military official, along with five other suspects, has been arrested in Ho Chi Minh City on gambling charges.

A source close to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper confirmed on Thursday evening that police officers had apprehended D.Q.V., the 36-year-old deputy commander of the military unit in Ward 11, District 3.

V. has been suspended to facilitate police investigation.

Five other suspects, aged 30 to 56, were also taken into custody.

All six were charged for gambling and organizing gambling.

The arrests were made after a team of officers raided a gambling den on Cach Mang Thang Tam Street in Ward 11, District 3 at around 1:30 pm on Wednesday.

More than VND86 million (US$3,700), some cash in foreign currencies, three dices, and four decks of cards were found at the location.

In accordance with the Penal Code, gambling with transactions worth VND5 million ($217) and over is punishable by a VND10-50 million ($434-2,170) fine, six-month to three-year non-custodial rehabilitation, or three to seven years in prison.

Organizing gambling is punishable by a fine worth VND50-300 million ($2,170-13,000) or a jail term lasting one to ten years, depending on the severity of the violation.