A total of 1,080 men and 608 women, aged between 16 and 82, are being investigated for various offences, following an island-wide multi-agency enforcement blitz that was conducted from 16 June to 23 July 2023.
Over the course of five weeks, the island-wide multi-agency enforcement blitz was conducted 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), Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and Singapore Customs.
More than 1,900 officers from all seven Police Land Divisions were deployed with over 300 operations conducted. Officers also conducted checks on more than 3,500 people, of which 504 were arrested. The enforcement operations aimed to bolster the Police’s presence island wide, by effectively targeting illegal and criminal activities.
The details of some of these operations are as follows:
- On 21 July 2023, officers from Tanglin Police Division conducted a series of joint enforcement operation involving officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), SCDF, HSA, ICA and CNB. The operation targeted illegal activities at public entertainment outlets in the vicinity of Orchard Road. One man and four women, aged between 28 and 33, were caught with e-vaporisers, which is an offence under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act. Two premises that were found to be cluttered and with CO2 (carbon dioxide) cylinders improperly stored were advised on fire safety breaches accordingly. 1 man and 9 women, aged between 25 and 32, were arrested for offences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990, Societies Act 1966 and Immigration Act 1959.
- On 19 July 2023, officers from Woodlands Police Division conducted an anti-gambling operation in the vicinity of Gambas Crescent. 13 men and 12 women aged between 31 to 76 were arrested for offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022. Cash amounting to over $19,000, several handphones and gambling-related paraphernalia were seized as case exhibits.
- On 13 July 2023, officers from Clementi Police Division conducted an enforcement operation in the vicinity of Jurong Gateway Road. A 46-year-old man is being investigated for an offence under the Liquor Control Act 2015, and over 52,000 cans of beer and 780 bottles of liquor were seized as case exhibits.
- On 12 July 2023, officers from Tanglin Police Division conducted an enforcement operation against illegal online gambling on a commercial unit in the vicinity of Burn Road. Six men, aged between 53 and 65, were arrested for offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022. Cash amounting to over $1,800 along with other gambling paraphernalia were seized as case exhibits.
- Between 1 and 17 July 2023, officers from Bedok Police Division conducted a series of joint enforcement operation involving officers from URA and ICA against illegal activities in Geylang. Five men and four women, aged between 47 and 62, were arrested for offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022. 16 men and four women, aged between 19 and 52, were arrested for offences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990. Three women, aged between 29 and 34, were arrested for offences under Women’s Charter Act 1961. A food and beverage establishment is also under investigation for offences relating to public entertainment and liquor licences, as well as the use of the premises under the Planning Act.
- On 28 June 2023, a joint enforcement operation was conducted by officers from Clementi Police Division, Singapore Customs and HSA in the vicinity of Jalan Papan. A 32-year-old man was arrested for offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973. Six men, aged between 36 and 45, were caught for offences under the Tobacco Act 1993. Another 31-year-old man was arrested for offences under the Customs Act 1960. Drug-related paraphernalia, 16 sachets of chewing tobacco, 104 packets and 179 sticks of duty-unpaid cigarettes were seized as case exhibits.
- On 22 June 2023, a joint enforcement operation was conducted by officers from Jurong Police Division, ICA and Singapore Customs in the vicinity of Old Choa Chu Kang Road. Five men, aged between 21 and 34, were arrested for offences under the Immigration Act 1959. 21 men, aged between 23 and 63, are being investigated for offences under the Customs Act 1960. Two men, aged 38 and 52, are also being investigated under the Tobacco Act 1993. 35 packets and 196 sticks of duty-unpaid cigarettes and two packets of chewing tobacco were seized as case exhibits.
- Between 16 and 18 June 2023, officers from Central Police Division conducted a joint enforcement operation involving officers from the CID, SCDF, CNB and ICA. The operation targeted illegal vice and gambling activities in the vicinity of Jalan Besar, Little India, Beach Road, Chinatown, Boat Quay and Serangoon Road. 10 men and 65 women, aged between 21 and 68, were arrested for offences mainly under the Women’s Charter Act 1961 and Gambling Control Act 2022. Cash amounting to over $10,000, condoms, lubricants and mahjong tiles were seized as case exhibits.
Investigations against the 1,688 individuals are ongoing.
Director of Operations Department, Senior Assistant Commissioner (SAC) 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 five-week anti-crime blitz is part of the Police’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on crime and illegal activities. The Police remain steadfast in our commitment to upholding law and order. By working hand-in-hand with other law enforcement agencies, we want to send a strong message to criminals that they will face the full extent of the law. We urge members of the public to remain vigilant and to report any criminal or suspicious activities to the Police. Singapore remains safe and secure due to the strong support and trust from the public, who act as our eyes and ears in the fight against crime.”
Multi-agency enforcement operation conducted at a Public Entertainment Outlet ▼
Common Gambling House operation ▼
Exhibits seized from Common Gambling House operation ▼
Beer cans and liquor bottles seized during one of the enforcement operations ▼
Operation against online gambling ▼
Persons arrested during operation against online gambling ▼
An anti-vice enforcement operation in the vicinity of Geylang ▼
Condoms seized from one of the anti-vice enforcement operations ▼
Checks conducted by police officer during one of the multi-agency enforcement operations ▼
Duty-unpaid cigarettes seized from one of the multi-agency enforcement operations ▼
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
27 July 2023 @ 11:30 AM