After hours and in the light of day, here’s what we saw during a three-week anti-crime blitz in June.
By: Alethea Lee
In a crowded KTV lounge at Orchard Road, officers conducted checks on staff and patrons, leaving no stone unturned.
At a massage establishment in western Singapore, a person-of-interest stands up to leave the premises, but a firm instruction from an officer stops her in mid-step.
These were just some of the scenes that took place last month to target criminal activities. From 10 to 30 June 2024, officers from the seven Police Land Divisions conducted a series of island wide multi-agency enforcement operations, supported by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), Health Sciences Authority (HSA), Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore Customs (Customs), Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Housing & Development Board (HDB).
Over 1,130 operations were conducted, involving more than 2,200 Police officers. Police Life followed our officers on two sting operations; here’s what we saw!
2130 hours, 21 June: A KTV Lounge at Orchard Road
It was a Friday night at Orchard Road, the heart of Singapore’s shopping district. The streets were crowded but my attention was focused on the team of officers inside a Police vehicle with me. Their target was a KTV lounge located at the basement of a shopping centre.
Officers from Tanglin Police Division and the CID, as well as their counterparts from the CNB, SCDF, ICA, MOM and Customs were gearing up for the sting. They quickly descended flights of stairs to the basement.
The tension was palpable as the officers stood ready. Upon receiving the go-ahead, they leaped into action, swiftly securing the KTV lounge.
Officers immediately rounded up those found within the premises. With the music shut off and the lights turned on, the once raucous KTV lounge was now a scene of quiet efficiency. Officers checked documents and recorded statements carefully, making sure no detail was overlooked. Only murmurs and the sound of shuffling feet could be heard as the checks proceeded.
A number of women were arrested for offences under the Women’s Charter Act 1961 and Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990.
2300 hours, 21 June: A KTV Lounge Outside the City Centre
This second operation targeted a small KTV lounge located in a hotel outside the city centre. As the officers made their way into the lounge, all activities came to a halt; the lights were turned on and the music cut off.
The KTV lounge fell silent as officers went systemically from room to room to conduct their investigations. Once more, they were a model of efficiency as they conducted checks on staff and patrons.
During the enforcement operation that night, 19 women aged between 19 and 33 were arrested. Of these, 16 were arrested under Woman’s Charter Act 1961 while three were arrested under Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990. It had been a long night, but the officers were purposeful as they wrapped up their work and returned to the office for follow-up investigations.
1400 hours, 25 June: Massage Establishments at Jurong East, Telok Blangah and Holland Village
It wasn’t just criminal activities after hours that were under scrutiny. On the afternoon of 25 June, officers from Clementi Police Division and the HDB conducted enforcement operations targeting two massage establishments in Jurong East and Telok Blangah.
Officers executed their operations seamlessly and swiftly. As part of the operations, the Police conducted a surprise check on one of the massage establishments. They interviewed the operating staff and conducted their appropriate checks, including a search of the premises.
Two massage establishments were found to have curtains installed around the massage beds, which contravened licensing requirements. Police are investigating the operators for possible breaches under the Massage Establishments Act 2017.
Simultaneously, a separate team of officers from Clementi Police Division conducted an enforcement operation at another massage establishment at Holland Village. During the operation, officers discovered that it was allegedly operating without a valid license.
After securing the establishment, the officers then proceeded to conduct a search of the premises, which uncovered evidence that vice-related activities had been conducted there.
The enforcement operations that afternoon concluded with the arrest of four women, aged between 29 and 50 for offences under the Women’s Charter Act 1961.
Keeping Singapore Safe and Secure
The series of enforcement operations in June saw a total of 871 men and 577 women being investigated for various offences such as gambling, illegal drug activities and illegal activities occurring in public entertainment outlets and massage establishments.
“The Police remain steadfast in our commitment to upholding law and order,” said Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Gregory Tan, Director of Operations, Singapore Police Force. “Criminals will be investigated to the fullest extent of the law.”
Want to learn more about this series of enforcement operations? Click here!
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