34 Investigated In Multi-Agency Enforcement Operation

A total of 19 men and 15 women, aged between 25 and 79, are being investigated for various offences, following a week-long multi-agency enforcement operation conducted from 17 to 21 January 2022.

The operation was led by Bedok Police Division and supported by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department, Central Narcotics Bureau, Health Sciences Authority, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, Singapore Customs, Land Transport Authority and Singapore Food Agency. During the operation targeting illegal activities and social disamenities at the Geylang Lorongs, three men, aged between 27 and 34, were arrested under suspicion of being members of unlawful societies.

In an operation conducted along the Geylang Lorongs, two men aged 29 and 43, were found to be in possession of substances believed to be unregistered health products consisting of an assortment of cough syrup and sexual enhancement products. E-vaporisers and their accessories were also allegedly recovered from the men. They will be investigated for various offences under the Health Products Act 2007 and Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993. Substances with a street value of close to $9,000 were also seized. Those found guilty of importing, manufacturing and/or supplying of unregistered health products, may be liable to an imprisonment term for up to two years and/or fined up to $50,000. Those found guilty of selling, offering for sale, possessing for sale, importing or distributing e-vaporisers and its accessories, are liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both for the first offence; and to a fine not exceeding $20,000, imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both, for the second or subsequent offence. In addition, for possessing, using and purchasing such items, offenders are liable to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

In enforcement efforts against illegal gambling, the Police conducted enforcement operations at a commercial unit located along Ubi Avenue 3 and found a total of five men and a woman, aged between 42 and 62, purportedly engaging in gambling-related activities. They were subsequently arrested for their suspected involvement in offences under the Remote Gambling Act 2014. Cash amounting to $950, computer terminals used in the commission of the offence, and various gambling-related paraphernalia were seized. Under Section 8(1)(b) of the Remote Gambling Act 2014, an individual who, in Singapore, gambles using remote communication and using a remote gambling service that is not provided by a person otherwise exempt, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both. Under Sec 9(1)(e) of the same Act, any person who assists in providing unlawful remote gambling service for another shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not less than $20,000 and not more than $200,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both.

The Police also conducted enforcement operations targeted at vice-related activities at a hotel located along Lorong 22 Geylang and a massage establishment outlet located along Geylang Road. A total of 10 women, aged between 32 and 48, were arrested for offences under the Women’s Charter 1961.

During the operation, a purported unlicensed ‘KTV-concept’ outlet was detected at a commercial unit located along Geylang Road. A total of five men and four women, aged between 25 and 47, were allegedly found singing karaoke and consuming liquor within the unit. Within the persons found in the unit, a 65-year-old man, who was believed to be the operator of the outlet, will be investigated for offences under the Public Entertainments Act 1958 and Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015. The operator and five patrons are being investigated for offences under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020. For non-compliance with safe distancing measures under the COVID-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations 2020, individuals found guilty may be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S$10,000, or both.

Officers from the Singapore Customs conducted enforcement against duty-unpaid cigarettes as well. A 78-year-old man is assisting with investigations for purportedly dealing with duty-unpaid cigarettes while two other men, aged 33 and 54, were issued with composition sums of up to $2,500 for possessing duty-unpaid cigarettes. A total of 30 packets and 15 sticks of duty-unpaid cigarettes were seized as part of the operation. Buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, possessing or dealing with duty-unpaid goods are serious offences under the Customs Act 1960 and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act 1993. Offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST evaded and/or jailed for up to six years.

Investigations against all the 34 individuals are ongoing.

Commanding Officer of Geylang Neighbourhood Police Centre, Deputy Superintendent of Police Lee Ting Wei said: “Persistent and strong enforcement are key to keeping the Geylang Lorongs safe and secure, and will require the continued effort of the various law enforcement agencies. The Police will continue to work closely with our community partners to prevent, deter and detect illegal activities in the Geylang Lorongs.”

The Police have zero tolerance towards illicit activities that threaten the public safety, peace, and good order of their communities, and will continue to work closely with relevant stakeholders to conduct regular enforcement operations to clamp down on illegal gambling, suppress secret society activities and illicit activities at the various nightlife establishments and popular congregation hotspots. Firm action will also be taken against those who blatantly disregard the law. Members of the public are also advised to steer clear of secret society activities and to report those engaging in such unlawful activities to the Police immediately.

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