Singapore: Joint island-wide multi-agency anti-vice operation leads to over 600 arrests

A joint operation by Singapore Police Force, Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Health Sciences Authority (HSA), National Environment Agency (NEA), Singapore Customs, Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Singapore Food Agency (SFA), led to the arrest of several individuals.

As per an official news release from SPF, a total of 1,257 men and 616 women, aged between 15 and 85, are being investigated for various offences, following a month-long island-wide multi-agency enforcement blitz that was conducted from 16 November to 15 December 2024. These operations are part of SPF’s ongoing efforts to mitigate crime during the year end festivities.

It said more than 2,600 officers from all seven Police Land Divisions were deployed with over 1,180 operations conducted. Officers also conducted checks on more than 13,200 people, of which 610 were arrested.

“The enforcement operations were aimed to reinforce Police presence island-wide, by effectively targeting illegal and criminal activities,” it said.

Details of some of the operations

Between 25 and 30 November 2024, officers from Central Police Division conducted a series of joint enforcement operation involving officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Traffic Police (TP), CNB and SCDF. The operation targeted illicit activities at various massage establishments, public entertainment outlets, private residences and hotels located in the vicinity of Chinatown, Little India, Boat Quay and Bugis.

A total of 54 men and 140 women, aged between 18 and 72, were arrested for various offences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990, Gambling Control Act 2022, Women’s Charter 1961, Penal Code 1871, Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958, Liquor Control Act 2015, and the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993. A total of five public entertainment outlets were found to have contravened various licensing conditions. During the operation, Police also raided a shophouse in Little India targeting vice activities and arrested seven men, aged between 23 and 61, under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990.

On 5 December 2024, officers from Jurong Police Division raided two residential units in an anti-vice operation in the vicinity of Bukit Batok and Choa Chu Kang. Four women, aged between 36 and 46, were arrested for offences under the Women’s Charter 1961. Substantial amounts of condoms, bottles of massage oil, as well as handwritten and records of earnings were seized for investigations.

Between 20 and 23 November 2024, officers from Tanglin Police Division conducted enforcement checks at multiple massage establishments, hotels and public entertainment outlets in the vicinity of Balestier Road, Thomson Road, Robertson Quay, Selegie Road, Orchard Road, Wilkie Road, Whampoa Drive and Beo Crescent.

A total of 25 women and three men, aged between 18 and 85, were arrested for offences under the Women’s Charter 1961, the Gambling Control Act 2022, and for working without a valid work pass under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990. A 38-year-old woman is also being investigated for offences under the Custom Act 1960 and Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993. Cash amounting to more than SGD 4,300, several mobile phones, gambling-related paraphernalia, seven e-vaporiser and four packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were seized as case exhibits.

Two massage establishments and one public entertainment outlet are also under investigation for breaches under the Massage Establishment Act 2017 and Public Entertainment Act 1958, respectively.

On 22 November 2024, officers from the Clementi Police Division led a joint enforcement operation with officers from Singapore Customs in the vicinity of Jalan Papan. Seventeen men, aged between 20 and 55, were issued composition sums by Singapore Customs for the possession of duty-unpaid cigarettes. A 38-year-old man was arrested for the sale of duty-unpaid cigarettes under the Customs Act 1960. Another 15 men, aged between 25 and 44, were issued composition fines by HSA for the possession of e-vaporisers and smokeless tobacco.

On 29 November 2024, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division conducted joint operations with officers from LTA in the vicinity of Punggol and Upper Serangoon Road. A 15-year-old teenager was arrested for possession of a scheduled weapon, an offence under the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958.

LTA officers also detected offences under the Active Mobility Act 2017, including riding non-compliant Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs) and riding bicycles without mandatory handbrakes on shared path and public roads. Two PMDs and eight bicycles were impounded by LTA.

From 30 November to 12 December 2024, officers from Bedok Police Division led a joint enforcement operation with officers from the CID, CNB, HSA, ICA, LTA, SFA, and Singapore Customs. The operation aimed to clamp down on illegal activities in Geylang, including illegal gambling, vice activities, and illegal touting.

A total of 15 men and 22 women, aged between 22 and 66, are being investigated for various offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, Gambling Control Act 2022, Women’s Charter Act 1961, Section 32 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act 1906, Massage Establishments Act 2017, Tobacco Act 1993, and the Customs Act 1960. A separate joint enforcement operation was conducted with the Singapore Customs, HSA and NEA in the vicinity of Tanah Merah Coast Road.

Summonses under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993 and Customs Act 1960 for possession of smokeless tobacco, duty-unpaid cigarettes and possession of vaporiser devices were also issued.

On 14 December 2024, officers from Woodlands Police Division conducted an anti-gambling operation in the vicinity of Yishun Industrial Street 1. Five men and three women, aged between 44 and 70, were arrested for offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022. Cash amounting to over SGD 15,300, 12 computer terminals, and gambling-related paraphernalia were seized as case exhibits.

Police also continued our efforts to clamp down on drink driving. On 30 November 2024 and 13 December 2024, the Traffic Police conducted two anti-drink driving operations. A total of 48 vehicles were checked and six persons, aged between 28 to 63, failed the breathalyser tests and were arrested for the offence of drink driving under Section 67(1)(b) of the Road Traffic Act 1961.

Investigations against the 1,873 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 Police’s month-long anti-crime operation underscores our unwavering commitment to maintaining law and order. Through collaboration with various law enforcement agencies, we aim to send a clear message: criminal activities will be met with strong enforcement and all cases will be thoroughly investigated before we take the criminals to task.

“As we enter the festive season, we emphasise that celebration and safety can coexist. For instance, the risks of drink-driving can be easily avoided by choosing alternative transport options or using valet services. We call on the public to stay alert and report any suspicious or criminal activities promptly.

“Singapore’s safety and security are a testament to the strong partnership between law enforcement and the community. Your vigilance and support are crucial in our collective effort to deter and combat crime. Together, we can ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday season for all,” Tan said.