20 arrested for involvement in gang-related activities, including 2 who allegedly recruited members

Twenty men, aged between 16 and 28, were arrested for their suspected involvement in gang-related activities and two of them will be charged in court on Thursday (Sep 12).

The police said they nabbed five men in the vicinity of Bedok Reservoir Road on May 12 last year.

Following the arrests, the police conducted further investigations and arrested 15 more men for their suspected involvement in similar offences.

A 21-year-old man and a 28-year-old man will be charged with offences under the Societies Act.

Investigations revealed that the pair are suspected to have recruited members into an unlawful society and procured subscriptions from others for the purpose of the unlawful society.

Investigations against the remaining 18 men are ongoing, said the police in a statement.

Under the Societies Act, anyone found guilty of being a member of an unlawful society, or of inviting another person to become a member of an unlawful society can be fined up to $5,000 and/or jailed for up to three years.

Anyone found guilty of procuring from any other person any subscription for the purpose of an unlawful society can be fined up to $5,000 and/or jailed for up to two years.

"The police take a very stern view of gang-related activities, and will not hesitate to take action against those who choose to be associated with gangs," they added in the statement.