4 liquor retail outlets found with hidden makeshift areas for customers to gather and consume alcohol

A total of 14 retail outlets are being investigated for offences related to the consumption and sale of alcohol.

This comes after police enforcement actions conducted between Oct 28 and Nov 12 at liquor retail outlets at various locations, including within the Liquor Control Zone in Little India where there are stricter restrictions on the consumption and supply of liquor.

The trading hours in the retail liquor licence in a Liquor Control Zone run from 7am to 10.30pm from Monday to Friday, and from 7am to 7pm on Saturday, Sunday, the eve of public holidays and public holidays.

Four of the 14 outlets were found to have converted parts of their premises into hidden makeshift areas for customers to gather and consume alcohol. This is not permitted as these outlets did not have the licence for liquor consumption on premises.

A licensee found guilty of contravening the prescribed trading hours within a Liquor Control Zone may be fined up to $10,000 upon conviction.

Supplying liquor without a valid licence carries a fine of up to $20,000. Repeat offenders may be fined up to $20,000, or jailed up to three months, or both.

The police said that the consumption and retail restrictions stipulated under the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act 2015, including the stricter restrictions in the two liquor control zones of Geylang and Little India are implemented to maintain public law and order and mitigate disamenities arising from liquor consumption and drunkenness in public places.

The police added that they will continue to take enforcement action against errant retail outlets, including not renewing or revoking liquor licences for those that are recalcitrant.