The Police have arrested 43 women and five men, aged between 18 and 42, for various criminal and immigration-related offences during a series of enforcement operations against public entertainment outlets, massage establishments, vice and illegal gambling activities along Balestier Road, Upper Paya Lebar Road, Macpherson Road, Selegie Road, River Valley Road, Mackenzie Road and the vicinity of Orchard Road from 4 to 12 July 2019.
During the enforcement operations by Tanglin Police Division, seven unlicensed massage establishments were detected. One massage establishment and one public entertainment outlet were found to have contravened licensing conditions.
Investigations are ongoing.
Actions will be taken against the operators for flouting the rules and regulations under the Massage Establishment Act (MEA). Operators of unlicensed massage establishments are liable to enhanced penalties under the MEA. If convicted, first time offenders may face a fine of up to $10,000, or imprisonment of up to 2 years, or both. For repeat offenders, they will be liable to a fine of up to $20,000, or imprisonment of up to 5 years, or both.
Landlords and hotel owners are advised to ensure that tenants do not carry out vice activities inside their premises. Unlicensed brothel operators can be given a maximum fine of $10,000 and/or up to five years’ imprisonment. Any person who knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings of the prostitution of another person can be jailed up to five years and fined up to $10,000.
The Police take a serious view of anyone found breaking the law and will continue to take tough enforcement stance against such activities. Actions will also be taken against landlords who knowingly lease their premises to unlicensed massage establishment operators or allow their premises to be used by those involved in vice activities.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
12 July 2019 @ 4:56 PM