11 women, 2 men arrested for vice, drug and other offences in joint enforcement operation

Three men and eleven women, aged between 28 and 51, were arrested during a joint enforcement operation carried out at the Ang Mo Kio, Kovan, Sembawang, Upper Serangoon and Yishun estates between Sep 3 to 9.

In the operation led by Ang Mo Kio Police Division and supported by the Central Narcotics Bureau and the Singapore Civil Defence Force, more than 500 people and 80 residential and commercial units were checked, the police said in a statement.

Nine women, aged between 28 and 40, were arrested for offences under the Women’s Charter, while a 33-year-old woman was arrested for offences under the Employment Act.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the women were advertising sexual services online and operating within residential units in Kovan, Yishun, and Sembawang estates. Cash amounting to S$1,630 and 12 handphones were seized as case exhibits.

In addition, three men and a woman, aged between 33 and 51, were arrested for suspected drug-related offences. Two packets of substances and six tablets, which are believed to be controlled drugs, and some drug paraphernalia were seized.

The Police said they will spare no effort to stamp out illegal activities and those found engaging in such activities will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

Landlords should ensure that tenants do not carry out vice activities in their premises. Under the Women’s Charter, any person who keeps, manages, or assists in the management of a brothel can be given a maximum fine of $10,000 and/or up to five years’ imprisonment. Any person who knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings of the prostitution of another person can be jailed up to five years and fined up to $10,000.

Investigations are ongoing.