The Police have arrested 22 men, aged between 19 and 52, in an islandwide operation targeting online child sexual exploitation activities. They are suspected of being in possession of or gaining access to child abuse material, distributing child abuse material, distributing obscene material and possession of obscene material. Another six men are also assisting the Police in investigations for obscene material and offences under the Films Act.
In a four-week operation, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department conducted raids at multiple locations including Tampines Street, Hougang Street, Choa Chu Kang Grove, Dakota Crescent, Compassvale Walk, Pasir Ris Street, Bukit Batok East and Boon Lay Drive. Electronic devices including computers, handphones and hard disks were seized.
Under the Penal Code, any person who has in their possession or has gained access to child abuse material, and knows or has reason to believe that the material is child abuse material, shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years, and shall also be liable to fine or caning.
Those who distribute, sell or offer child abuse material for sale, or has in their possession child abuse material for the purpose of such distribution, sale or offer for sale, and knows or has reason to believe that the material is child abuse material, shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine or to caning.
Whoever lets hire, distributes, transmits by electronic means, publicly exhibits or in any manner puts into circulation, or for purposes of sale, hire, distribution, transmission, public exhibition or circulation, makes, produces, or has in his possession any obscene book, pamphlet, paper, drawing, painting, representation or figure, or any other obscene object whatsoever, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, a fine, or with both.
Under the Films Act, any person who has in his possession any obscene film shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both.
The Police will continue to take tough enforcement action against online child sexual exploitation activities, including possession and distribution of child abuse materials. Those found engaging in such activities will be dealt sternly in accordance with the law.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
30 October 2021 @ 7:35 PM