Berhampur, July 12: Twenty-six persons were arrested yesterday while they were gambling in a mango grove at Tamana.

Berhampur police have seized Rs 2.10 lakh in cash from the gamblers. The seizure also includes 25 motorcycles, 208 playing card sets, 25 mobile phones, two tarpaulins and one charger light from the spot. Six persons managed to escape, said Sarat Mahapatra, sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Berhampur.

The police said the racket was being run by professionals. People who could afford high stakes were allowed to play and these gangs organised gambling for a few hours at one place and then dispersed.

“On receiving information, one platoon of police reached the spot. Those who organise these dens change their locations frequently,” said Prafulla Kumar Mishra, inspector-in-charge, Golanthara police station.

However, this was a great success for the police, he claimed. All the gamblers were produced before the court today. The accused persons hailed from different parts of the district and some of them are businessmen.

Gambling between Dussehra and Kumar Purnima night is considered auspicious in most parts of Ganjam when the whole district virtually turns into a gambling den. Temporary gambling dens come up in all villages, towns and cities of the district and people cutting across all barriers, zealously participate in the game played with cards. The stakes range from as small as a one rupee to several lakhs. Sometimes, valuables like jewellery and vehicles are also put at stake.