Following a multi-agency enforcement operation against errant public entertainment outlets held on 8 November 2024, 12 men and three women, aged between 19 and 63, were arrested for various offences including working without a valid work permit, suspected drink driving, driving without a valid driving licence and insurance, suspected consumption and possession of controlled drugs, and possession of scheduled weapons. Another 11 men, aged between 29 and 62, are also being investigated for possession of e-vaporisers and breaches to the Fire Safety Act 1993 and Environmental Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations. Two entertainment outlets are being investigated for breaching public entertainment licensing conditions.
The operation was led by Bedok Police Division and supported by officers from the Traffic Police, the Police K-9 unit, Central Narcotics Bureau, Health Sciences Authority, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, Singapore Civil Defence Force, and Singapore Food Agency, was conducted in the vicinity of Joo Chiat. The Traffic Police supported this operation by conducting ringfencing operations.
While the law and order situation in Joo Chiat has improved over the years, Joo Chiat remains a hotspot for public entertainment outlets. The Police conduct regular enforcement operations to keep the situation in check. This multi-agency enforcement operation is part of Bedok Police Division’s continuous efforts to clamp down on illicit activities and regulatory offences in the area. Please refer to Annex A for photos of the operations and items seized.
For the penalties of the offences which the individuals are arrested or being investigated for, and the offences which the entertainment outlets are being investigated for, please refer to Annex B.
Commanding Officer of Marine Parade Neighbourhood Police Centre, Deputy Superintendent of Police Benjamin Tan said, “Any public entertainment licensing breaches and unlawful activities will be sternly dealt with by the Police. Thanks to the continued efforts of government agencies and the community over the years, the law and order situation in Joo Chiat has improved. We will continue to work closely with other agencies to act swiftly against errant outlet operators and any other persons who are found to have committed unlawful activities there.”
Annex A – Photos of the operation and items seized
Suspected controlled drugs and drug paraphernalia▼
Scheduled weapons and suspected controlled drugs▼
Police K-9 unit conducting checks▼
Persons arrested during the operation▼
Persons arrested during the operation▼
Persons arrested during the operation▼
Persons arrested during the operation▼
Annex B – Penalties of Offences
Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990
Working without a valid work permit is an offence under Section 10(2) of the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990. It carries a jail term of up to two years, a fine of up to $20,000, or both.
Road Traffic Act 1961 and Motor Vehicles (Third-Party Risks and Compensation) Act 1960
Driving while under the influence of alcohol is an offence under Section 67(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1961. It carries a fine of not less than $2,000 and not more than $10,000, or a jail term of up to 12 months, or both. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, the offence carries a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $20,000, and a jail term of up to two years. Offenders may also face disqualification from driving all classes of vehicles.
Driving or permitting another person to drive a motor vehicle without a valid driving licence are offences under Section 35(1) and Section 35(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 respectively. Both offences carry a fine of up to $10,000, a jail term of up to three years, or both. Repeat offenders are liable to a fine of up to $20,000, a jail term of up to six years, or both. The vehicle may also be forfeited.
Using or permitting another person to use a motor vehicle without insurance coverage is an offence under Section 3(1) of the Motor Vehicles (Third-Party Risks and Compensation) Act 1960. It carries a fine of up to $1,000, or a jail term of up to three months, or both.
Permitting the use of a deregistered vehicle is an offence under Section 10(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1961. It carries a fine of up to $2,000 or a jail term of up to three months, or both. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, the offence carries a fine of up to $5,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both.
Misuse of Drugs Act 1973
Consumption of controlled drug is an offence under Section 8(b) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973. It carries a fine of up to $20,000 or a jail term of not less than 1 year but not more than 10 years or both, or to a minimum jail term of 3 years for the second or subsequent offence.
Possession of controlled drug is an offence under Section 8(a) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973. It carries a fine of up to $20,000, or a jail term of not more than 10 years or both, or to a minimum jail term of 2 years for the second or subsequent offence.
Possession of drug utensils is an offence under Section 9 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973. It carries a fine of up to $10,000, or a jail term of not more than 3 years or both.
Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958
Possession of scheduled weapon is an offence under Section 7 CESOWA 1958. It carries a jail term of up to 5 years and caning of not less than 6 strokes. In the case of a second or subsequent offence, it carries a jail term of not less than 2 years and not more than 8 years and caning of not less than 6 strokes.
Fire Safety Act 1993
When a fire hazard is detected, SCDF will issue the Fire Hazard Abatement Notice (FHAN) under Section 28 of the Fire Safety Act 1993, to the responsible entity. A FHAN is a written warning to the responsible entity to abate the fire hazard within a specified period. If the fire hazard is not addressed, a Notice of Offence (NOO) will be issued to inform the responsible entity to rectify the offence before an offer to compound the offence is made.
A NOO may also be directly issued to the responsible entity if the nature of the fire safety infringement is very serious, such as shutting off the water supply to the hose reels of the entire building. Upon rectification, composition fines up to $5,000 may be imposed on the responsible entity. Otherwise, prosecutorial action may be taken if they fail to rectify the fire hazard as required in the NOO. The offence carries a fine of up to $10,000 or a jail term of up to 6 months, or both. In the case of a continuing offence, it carries a further fine of up to $1,000 for every day or part of a day during which the offence continues after conviction.
Carrying out fire safety works without first seeking approval from SCDF is an offence under Section 56 of the Fire Safety Act 1993. It carries a fine of up to $200,000 or a jail term of up to 2 years, or both. In the case of a continuing offence, it carries a further fine of up to $1,000 for every day or part of a day during which the offence continues after conviction.
Failing to apply for a change of use of premises is an offence under Section 61 of the Fire Safety Act 1993. It carries a fine of up to $200,000 or a jail term of up to 2 years, or both. In the case of a continuing offence, it carries a further fine of up to $1,000 for every day or part of a day during which the offence continues after conviction.
Environmental Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations
Failing to ensure proper storage and refrigeration of food is an offence under Section 12(c) of the Environmental Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations. It carries a fine of up to $2,000. In the case of a continuing offence, it carries a further fine of up to S$100 for every day or part thereof during which the offence continues after conviction.
Failing to ensure proper refuse disposal is an offence under Section 31(2)(a) of the Environmental Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations. It carries a fine of up to $2,000. In the case of a continuing offence, it carries a further fine of up to S$100 for every day or part thereof during which the offence continues after conviction.
Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act
The possession, use or purchase of e-vaporisers carries a maximum fine of $2,000.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
13 November 2024 @ 3:00 PM