759 Investigated In Island-Wide Multi-Agency Enforcement Blitz Over The Last Three Weeks

A total of 464 men and 295 women, aged between 15 and 88, are being investigated for various offences, following an island-wide multi-agency enforcement blitz that was conducted from 21 November to 14 December 2022.

Over the course of three weeks, the island-wide multi-agency enforcement blitz was led by various Police Land Divisions and supported by officers from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), Health Sciences Authority (HSA), Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore Customs, Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and National Environment Agency (NEA).

This was the largest enforcement operations since COVID-19, with more than 1,300 Police officers deployed. The enforcement operations aimed to clamp down crime and illegal activities in Singapore, such as illegal gambling, vice activities, and drug-related offences, particularly during the year-end festivities.

The details of some of these operations are as follows:

Between 9 and 11 December 2022, officers from Central Police Division led a joint enforcement operation involving officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), SCDF, and CNB. The operation targeted illegal activities in the vicinity of public entertainment outlets and massage establishments within Jalan Besar, Little India, Beach Road, Chinatown and Boat Quay. A total of 35 men and 105 women, aged between 19 and 69, were being arrested for offences under the Women’s Charter 1961, Gambling Control Act 2022, Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015, Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, and Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990.
Between 4 and 9 December 2022, officers from Bedok Police Division led a joint enforcement operation, involving officers from CID, CNB, HSA, Singapore Customs and MOM, against illegal activities in Geylang. Fifteen men and nine women, aged between 20 and 72, were arrested for their involvement in offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022. Cash amounting to over $76,000 and gambling paraphernalia such as makeshift gambling tables were seized during the operation. During the operation, Singapore Customs arrested a 52-year-old man under Section 128 (1)(a)(ii) of the Customs Act 1960 for purportedly storing duty-unpaid cigarettes. Another 29-year-old man was issued with a composition fine, while five other men, aged between 32 and 65, were given advisories under the Customs Act 1960 for being in possession of duty-unpaid cigarettes. Four men, aged between 23 and 30, were also being investigated by HSA under the Health Products Act 2007.
On 6 December 2022, a joint enforcement operation was conducted by officers from Jurong Police Division and CNB in Bukit Batok and Jurong West. Ten men, aged between 22 and 62, were arrested for offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973. Substances believed to be controlled drugs, drug-related paraphernalia and a car were seized as case exhibits. Of which, a 62-year-old man, was also arrested for offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022. Cash amounting to about $20,000 and a laptop were seized as case exhibits.
On 26 November 2022, officers from Woodlands Police Division conducted an enforcement operation against illegal gambling in Woodlands. Five men, aged between 59 and 69, were arrested for offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022. Cash amounting to over $8,000 and gambling paraphernalia were seized during the operation.
Between 25 November and 10 December, officers from Tanglin Police Division led a series of joint enforcement operations. Commercial units along Balestier, Orchard Road and Upper Paya Lebar were raided and 48 women, aged between 22 and 57, were investigated for offences under Women’s Charter 1961. Condoms, lubricants and handphones used in facilitating appointments were seized as case exhibits. Together with SCDF and ICA, enforcement checks were also conducted on public entertainment outlets across Orchard Road and five women, aged between 22 and 57, were arrested for offences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990. Four licensed premises were found to be overcrowded with crowd sizes above their approved occupancy capacities. During an anti-gambling operation at Balestier, two men, aged between 28 and 37, were arrested for offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022. Another 14 men and two women, aged between 18 and 71, are under investigation for offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022. Cash and gambling paraphernalia were seized as case exhibits.

Investigations against the 759 individuals are ongoing.

Acting Director of Operations Department, Assistant Commissioner (AC) Gregory Tan, expressed his appreciation to all the agencies involved for their strong support and commended the officers for their professionalism and excellent teamwork during the enforcement blitz. He added, “The three-week blitz is part of Police’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on crime and illegal activities. As we resume normalcy in our daily activities with the easing of COVID-19 safe management measures, the Police will step up our efforts to combat criminal activities and take firm action against those who blatantly disregard the law. Members of the public are reminded to take crime prevention measures while enjoying the end-of-year festivities, and report those engaging in criminal activities to the Police.”

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