Panaji, Jul 15 (IANS): In a late development, the offices of a local English daily and its printing press were raided by the Crime Branch of the Goa Police in connection with an allegedly illegal housie lottery operation.

According to Crime Branch officials, the raids were conducted late Thursday following a complaint filed by Rajeev Gomes, a lawyer based in Margao town in South Goa, who alleged that the lottery operation is illegal.

The newspaper Herald said that the management "cooperated with the search party" and added that they were not questioned or their statements were recorded.

Crime Branch officials raided the newspaper's headquarters in Panaji, from where the lottery operation was being conducted, the printing press, where the lotteries were printed and four other places were the tickets were being sold.

A First Information Report has been filed under sections 120 B (criminal conspiracy), Section 3 and 4 of the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976.

Speaking to reporters Superintendent of Police (Crime Branch) Karthik Kashyap confirmed the raids. "We are in the process of conducting the raids at Panaji, Margao, Vasco, Porvorim where the German Housie and Mexican Housie operations were being conducted," Kashyap said.

The newspaper management assured the Crime Branch of complete co-operation and assistance.

"It is important to note that the Crime Branch had conducted a preliminary inquiry a month ago which revealed that no technical offence was made out in the gaming operations of HCN. The management of Herald has assured the Crime Branch of complete cooperation and assistance in the operation," the newspaper said in a comment on its website.