The Police are investigating 55 men and women, aged between 14 and 73, for various offences, following a series of multi-agency enforcement operations conducted between 26 May 2023 and 15 June 2023.
The operations were led by Bedok Police Division and supported by officers from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
On 10 June 2023, the Police conducted a joint enforcement operation at Bedok Central. 12 men and one woman, aged between 41 and 63, were arrested for their suspected involvement in unlawful conduct of betting operations, gaming or lotteries under Section 18(3) of Gambling Control Act 2022 while another 13 men and two women, aged between 14 and 35, were investigated for their suspected involvement in gambling with unlicensed gambling service provider or at unlawful gambling place under Section 20(1)(a) of Gambling Control Act 2022.
Officers also conducted raids at massage establishments where three massage establishments were found to have purportedly carried on business of providing massage services in establishment for massage without licence under Section 5(4) of the Massage Establishment Act 2017. A 33-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly keeping, managing or assisting in the management of a place of assignation under Section 147(1A) of Women Charter 1961.
Officers also coordinated joint operations with HSA to conduct checks at Geylang and seized more than 17,000 units of unregistered health products consisting of cough syrup and various sexual enhancement medicines worth more than $7,000. One man was investigated for allegedly supplying unregistered health products under Section 15(1) of Health Products Act 2007.During the enhanced operations, Police have also stepped up our anti-crime patrols and roadblocks where a vehicle with improvised drug apparatus was detected and two men were apprehended. A 36-year-old man and a 37-year-old man were arrested for suspected drug-related offences. The 36-year-old man was also allegedly found to be in possession of 12 vape devices and 43 boxes of vape pods which is an offence under Section 16(3)(a) Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act.
Under Section 18(3)(a) of the Gambling Control Act 2022, any person who conducts betting operations, gaming, or lotteries unlawfully, shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $200,000 and imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.
Under Section 20(1)(a) of the Gambling Control Act 2022, any person who gambles with an unlicensed gambling service provider or at an unlawful gambling place shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6six months, or both.
Under Section 15(1) of Health Products Act 2007, a person who supplies any unregistered health product is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both.
Under Section 5(4) of the Massage Establishment Act 2017, any person who carry on the business of providing massage services in an establishment for massage without a licence shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or both. For repeat offenders, the offence carries a fine not exceeding S$20,000, or imprisonment of up five years, or both.
Under Section 147(1A) of the Women’s Charter 1961, any person who keeps, manages or assists in the management of a place of assignation is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $100,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both; and where the person is a repeat offender, to a fine not exceeding $150,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, or both.
Under Section 8(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, any person convicted of the offence of possession of controlled drugs shall be liable to an imprisonment term of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $20,000, or both. Under Section 8(b) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, any person convicted of the offence of consumption of controlled drugs shall be punishable with an imprisonment term of up to three years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. Under Section 9 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, any person found in possession of any pipe, syringe, utensil, apparatus or other article intended for the smoking, administration or consumption of a controlled drug, shall be liable to an imprisonment term of up to 3 years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
Under Section 16(3) of Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993, any person who possesses, purchases or uses in Singapore any confectionary or other food product or any toy, device or article which resembles a tobacco product, that is capable of being smoked or may be used in such a way to mimic the act of smoking or associated with tobacco products, shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000.7 Commander of Bedok Police Division, Assistant Commissioner of Police Justin Wong expressed his appreciation to all the agencies involved for their strong support and commended the officers for their professionalism and excellent teamwork during the operations.
The Police have zero tolerance towards illicit activities that threaten the public safety, peace, and good order of the community. The Police will continue to work closely with the relevant agencies and take enforcement action at public entertainment outlets to suppress vice and other illicit activities at the various nightlife establishments and popular congregation hotspots.
PHOTOGRAPHS OF ENFORCEMENT OPERATION AGAINST ILLEGAL PUBLIC GAMING ▼
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
14 July 2023 @ 2:00 PM