152 out of 1,500 arrested in island-wide crackdown, weapons and sexual enhancers seized

A total of 152 people were arrested for illegal activities following over 80 island-wide enforcement operations that were conducted from December 28 last year to Tuesday (Jan 10).

A total of 309 men and 157 women, aged between 15 and 80, are also being investigated for various offences.

The Sngapore Police Force (SPF) said that more than 640 officers were deployed across the various Police Land Divisions, with checks performed on more than 1,500 people.

Some of the enforcement operations include:

On Tuesday, the police led a joint enforcement operation with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) to target illegal activities in Geylang.

Cash of over $48,000, gambling paraphernalia such as makeshift gambling tables and gambling chips, as well as unregistered health products consisting of various sexual enhancement medicine with an estimated value of $3,317, were seized during the operation.

Three men and four women, aged between 34 and 73, are being investigated for their involvement in offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022.

Two men, aged between 31 and 41, are also being investigated by HSA under the Health Products Act 2007.

On January 4, officers from Woodlands Police Division conducted an enforcement operation against illegal gambling in Woodlands.

A 41-year-old woman and five men, aged between 58 and 74, are being investigated for offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022.

Cash amounting to over $1,200 and five handphones containing evidence of gambling and betting paraphernalia were seized during the operation

On December 31, 2022, officers from Criminal Investigation Department led a series of secret society suppression operations at Sentosa, Clarke Quay, Orchard Road and several public entertainment and nightlife establishments across Singapore.

A total of 107 individuals were checked.

The police added: "Six men, aged between 20 and 33, were arrested for being suspected members of unlawful societies under Section 14(3) of the Societies Act 1966, of which a 24-year-old man was also arrested for the offence of carrying a scheduled weapon in public under Section 7(1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons (CESOW) Act 1958.

"Another 24-year-old man was also arrested for the offence of carrying an offensive weapon in public under Section 6(1) of the CESOW Act 1958."

A push dagger, knuckle duster and knife were seized as case exhibits.

Investigations against the 466 individuals are ongoing.

The police said they will continue to enhance their enforcement blitz island-wide in light of the upcoming Chinese New Year festivities. The enhanced enforcement operations during this period aim to clamp down on crime and illegal activities such as illegal gambling, vice activities and drug-related offences.

Assistant Commissioner (AC) Gregory Tan, Acting Director of SPF's Operations Department, commended the strong collaboration and efforts by the police and the various agencies involved in the joint operations.

He added: "The police have been stepping up our enforcement posture over the past two months.

"As we resume normalcy in our daily activities with the easing of Covid-19 Safe Management Measures, the police will continue our efforts to combat crime and take firm action against those who blatantly disregard the law.

"Members of the public are reminded not to be complacent regarding crime prevention measures, and report those engaging in criminal activities to the police."

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