Following a two-week joint crime suppression operation conducted between 25 February 2022 and 11 March 2022, a total of 30 men and two women, aged between 16 and 41, are being investigated for various offences. The operation was led by the Secret Societies Branch of Criminal Investigation Department and supported by the seven Police Land Divisions and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA).
During the island-wide operation, a total of 364 persons and 100 public entertainment and nightlife establishments that pivoted to Food & Beverage operations were checked for unlawful activity and adherence to safe management measures. A total of 26 men, aged between 16 and 41, were arrested for being suspected members of unlawful societies. Another four men, aged between 24 and 32, and two women, aged 28 and 29, were also arrested for various other offences:
- Two men, aged 29 and 32, were wanted for failing to attend in obedience to order from public servant under Section 174 of the Penal Code 1871;
- A 24-year-old man was allegedly found in possession of a pair of ice tongs along Circular Road, which he had purportedly attempted to discard when he was approached by police officers. He was then arrested for carrying an offensive weapon in public under Section 6(1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958; and
- A 30-year-old man allegedly caused a public disturbance when Police officers arrested his brother for being a suspected member of an unlawful society at the junction of Lorong Telok and Circular Road. He was then arrested for public nuisance under Section 290 of the Penal Code 1871. A 29-year-old woman had also allegedly interfered with the arrest of the 30-year-old man, by purportedly pulling the police officers away and was thus arrested for obstructing a public servant in discharge of his public functions under Section 186 of the Penal Code 1871. During the incident, another 28-year-old woman had allegedly shouted vulgarities at the police officers and was also arrested for using abusive language against a public servant punishable under Section 6(3) of the Protection from Harassment Act 2014.
Police investigations against all the 32 persons are ongoing.
The offence of being a member of an unlawful society under Section 14(3) of the Societies Act 1966 carries an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. The offence of possession of offensive weapon under Section 6(1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958 carries an imprisonment of up to three years and caning with not less than six strokes. The offence of obstructing a public servant in discharge of his public functions under Section 186 of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment term of up to six months, a fine of up to $2,500, or both. The offence of public nuisance under section 290 of the Penal Code 1871 carries a fine of up to $2,000. The offence of using abusive language against public servant punishable under section 6(3) of the Protection from Harassment Act 2014 carries an imprisonment term of up to 12 months, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. The offence of failure to attend in obedience to order from public servant under section 174 of the Penal Code 1871 carries an imprisonment term of up to one month, a fine of up to $1,500, or both.
The Police have zero tolerance towards secret society and unlawful activities that threaten the public safety, peace, and good order, and will continue to conduct regular enforcement operations at the various public entertainment and nightlife establishments and popular congregation hotspots. Firm action will be taken against those who are associated with secret societies and 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.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
22 March 2022 @ 10:20 PM