The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission detained two district police chiefs from Malacca in a pre-dawn sting today.

The two are Melaka Tengah district police chief Shaikh Abdul Adzis Shaikh Abdullah and Jasin district police chief Sakri Yusoff.

Another police officer, with the rank of inspector, was also detained during the same operation.

A MACC source confirmed the arrests with Malaysiakini.

The three are alleged to have accepted bribes from illegal gambling dens and massage parlours in return for protection.

MACC managed to obtain a six-day remand order against the suspects from the Putrajaya Magistrate's Court this afternoon.

This morning, MACC secured a six-day remand against six individuals, including three policemen in connection with the same case.

The six, including two middle men and the operator of a gambling den, were detained in a different sting on Tuesday.

In a statement later, MACC said following the arrests of the nine, a total of RM186,000 in cash and more than RM459,000 in bank accounts belonging to the suspects were seized.

"The cash was found in the houses of several suspects and is believed to have originated fom the owners of illegal gambling dens," it added.