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The National Lottery Authority (NLA) and the Ghana Police Service have intensified their campaign to arrest illegal lotto operators engaged in fraud in the country. In swoop operations carried out by the Western Regional Police Command over the weekend, 61 illegal lotto operators were arrested. The swoop was carried out in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Tarkwa, Shama Daboase, Elubo and Agona Nkwanta. A similar operations was carried out by the Central Regional Police Command at Agona Swedru, Winneba, Mankessim, Kasoa, Elmina, Budunburam and Cape Coast all in the Central Region. 40 illegal lotto operators were arrested in that region. At a press briefing in Takoradi yesterday, Head of Security at NLA, Flt. Col.Yaw Dzotefe-Mensah (Rtd,) said under National Lotto Act (Act 722,) only the NLA is mandated by law to run lottery and that any persons or groups operating any form of lottery without the NLA�s consent is committing a crime. He warned that upon conviction by the courts, such persons will be fined, imprisoned or both. Mr. Dzotefe-Mensah also cautioned the general public the Accra circuit court has placed an injunction on the Veterans Administration, Ghana(VAG,) which injunction prevents the latter from engaging in lottery or lottery activities. �Anyone will be committing contempt if one operates with licenses issued by VAG,� he warned. He assured the general public that his outfit will continue to monitor illegal lotto operators as well as those who stake it and that any persons found engaged in the practice will be punished under the laws of Ghana. Mr.Dzotefe-Mensah used the opportunity to urged the general public to report any suspicious activity to the nearest Police Station or National Lottery Authority Office. �It is through such patriotic duties that we can collectively increase government revenue,� he added.