A total of 31 men and 12 women, aged between 33 and 75, are being investigated for various offences following a multi-agency enforcement operation conducted from 21 May 2023 to 26 May 2023.
The operation was led by Bedok Police Division and supported by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department, Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), Health Sciences Authority (HSA), Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore Customs, Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Singapore Food Agency (SFA). The operation aimed to clamp down on illegal activities in Geylang, including illegal gambling, vice activities, sale of illegal sexual enhancement medication and illegal street hawking, among others.
The details of some of these operations are as follows:
- In a joint enforcement operation against internet casino operations involving officers from Bedok Police Division, Criminal Investigation Department, ICA and MOM, an industrial unit at 8 Ubi Road 2 and a unit along Macpherson Road were raided. Fifteen men and three women, aged between 39 and 75, are being investigated for offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022. More than $3,400 in cash, computer terminals and other gambling paraphernalia were seized. Under Section 20(2) of the Gambling Control Act 2022, an individual who gambles with another person in or from any place or premises in Singapore and knows, or ought reasonably to have known, that the place or premises is an unlawful gambling place shall be guilty of an offence and be liable on conviction to a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment of up to six months, or both. Under Section 18(3)(a) of the Gambling Control Act 2022, an individual who conducts betting operations, gaming, or lotteries unlawfully, shall be guilty of an offence and be liable on conviction to a fine of up to $200,000 and imprisonment of up to five years.
- In a series of joint enforcement operations in the vicinity of the Geylang Lorongs involving officers from HSA, ICA and CNB, unregistered health products consisting of cough syrup and various sexual enhancement products with an estimated value of around $37,440 were seized. Two men, aged 32 and 51, are being investigated under the Health Products Act 2007. 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.
- Officers from Bedok Police Division conducted an enforcement operation against two massage establishments located along Geylang Road. Two men, aged 36 and 60, are being investigated for purportedly operating without a valid licence under the Massage Establishments Act 2017. Three women, aged between 42 and 48, were arrested for offences under the Women’s Charter 1961.
- Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department conducted an anti-vice enforcement operation in the vicinity of the Geylang Lorongs. Six women, aged between 33 and 47, were arrested for offences under the Women’s Charter 1961.
- Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department and Bedok Division conducted checks at public entertainment outlets along Geylang Road and Geylang Lorongs. A 26-year-old man was arrested under the Societies Act 1966.
- Singapore Customs officers conducted enforcement against duty-unpaid cigarettes. A 64-year-old man, was arrested under the Customs Act 1960 for dealing with duty-unpaid cigarettes, and another 66-year-old man was issued with composition sum under the Customs Act 1960 for possessing duty-unpaid cigarettes. Nine cartons, 51 packets and 12 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.
- Officers from SFA conducted enforcement against illegal street hawking in the vicinity of the Geylang Lorongs. A 60-year-old man, was investigated under Section 33(a) of the Environmental Public Health Act. Raw satay meat and a few packets of sauce were seized during the operation.
- Officers from LTA conducted an enforcement operation in the vicinity of Geylang, targeting illegally modified Personal Mobility Devices (PMD) and Power Assisted Bicycles (PAB). Six men, aged between 20 and 30, are investigated for various offences under the Road Traffic Act 1961 and Active Mobility Act 2017. One PMD and three PABs were impounded during the operation.
- Officers from MOM also led an enforcement operation in the vicinity of Geylang Serai Market. Two men, aged 36 and 40, are assisting with investigations for offences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990.
Investigations against the 43 individuals are ongoing.
The Commanding Officer of Geylang Neighbourhood Police Centre, Superintendent of Police Muhammad Firdaus Bin Abdul Raub expressed his appreciation to all the agencies involved for their strong support and commended the officers for their professionalism and excellent teamwork during the operation. The Police will continue to work closely with other enforcement agencies to clamp down on illegal activities.
The Police take a zero-tolerance approach towards illegal activities and will take firm action against those who blatantly disregard the law. Members of the public are advised to report those engaging in unlawful activities to the Police.
Internet casino operations ▼
Seized items from internet casino operations ▼
Sexual enhancement products (Peddler) ▼
Sexual enhancement products ▼
Sexual enhancement products found inside a unit ▼
Cough syrups and sexual enhancement products seized ▼
Illegal PMD modifications operation ▼
Illegal massage establishment operation ▼
Illegal street hawking ▼
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
07 June 2023 @ 1:10 PM