504 of 3,500 people who were checked arrested for various offences in island-wide enforcement blitz

An island-wide enforcement blitz over five weeks saw checks conducted on more than 3,500 people, with 504 of them being arrested.

A total of 1,080 men and 608 women, aged between 16 and 82, are also being investigated for various offences following the multi-agency operation that took place from June 16 to July 23.

The enforcement blitz was conducted by various Police Land Divisions and supported by officers from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), Health Sciences Authority (HSA), Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and Singapore Customs. More than 1,900 officers from all seven Police Land Divisions were deployed with over 300 operations conducted.

The enforcement operations aimed to bolster the police’s presence island-wide by effectively targeting illegal and criminal activities. These include:

1. July 21

Officers from Tanglin Police Division conducted a series of joint enforcement operation involving officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), SCDF, HSA, ICA and CNB.

The operation targeted illegal activities at public entertainment outlets in the vicinity of Orchard Road. One man and four women, aged between 28 and 33, were caught with e-vaporisers, which is an offence under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act.

Two premises that were found to be cluttered and with CO2 (carbon dioxide) cylinders improperly stored were advised on fire safety breaches accordingly.

A man and nine women, aged between 25 and 32, were arrested for offences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990, Societies Act 1966 and Immigration Act 1959.

2. July 19

Officers from Woodlands Police Division conducted an anti-gambling operation in the vicinity of Gambas Crescent.

A total of 13 men and 12 women, aged between 31 to 76, were nabbed for offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022. Cash of over $19,000, several handphones and gambling-related paraphernalia were seized as case exhibits.

3. July 13

Officers from Clementi Police Division conducted an enforcement operation in the vicinity of Jurong Gateway Road.

A 46- year-old man is being investigated for an offence under the Liquor Control Act 2015. Over 52,000 cans of beer and 780 bottles of liquor were seized as case exhibits.

4. July 12

Officers from Tanglin Police Division conducted an enforcement operation against illegal online gambling on a commercial unit in the vicinity of Burn Road.

Six men, aged between 53 and 65, were arrested for offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022. Cash of more than $1,800 along with other gambling paraphernalia were seized as case exhibits.

5. July 1 - July 17

Officers from Bedok Police Division conducted a series of joint enforcement operation involving officers from URA and ICA against illegal activities in Geylang.

Five men and four women, aged between 47 and 62, were arrested for offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022.

A total of 16 men and four women, aged between 19 and 52, were arrested for offences under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990.

Three women, aged between 29 and 34, were also arrested for offences under Women’s Charter Act 1961.

Additionally, a food and beverage establishment is under investigation for offences relating to public entertainment and liquor licences, as well as the use of the premises under the Planning Act.

6. June 28

A joint enforcement operation was conducted by officers from Clementi Police Division, Singapore Customs and HSA in the vicinity of Jalan Papan.

A 32-year-old man was arrested for offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973.

Six men, aged between 36 and 45, were caught for offences under the Tobacco Act 1993.

Another 31-year-old man was arrested for offences under the Customs Act 1960.

Drug-related paraphernalia, 16 sachets of chewing tobacco, 104 packets and 179 sticks of duty-unpaid cigarettes were seized as case exhibits.

7. June 22

A joint enforcement operation was conducted by officers from Jurong Police Division, ICA and Singapore Customs in the vicinity of Old Choa Chu Kang Road.

Five men, aged between 21 and 34, were arrested for offences under the Immigration Act 1959.

There are also 21 men, aged between 23 and 63, being investigated for offences under the Customs Act 1960.

Two men, aged 38 and 52, are also being investigated under the Tobacco Act 1993.

Two packets of chewing tobacco as well as 35 packets and 196 sticks of duty-unpaid cigarettes were seized as case exhibits.

8. June 16 - June 18

Officers from Central Police Division conducted a joint enforcement operation involving officers from the CID, SCDF, CNB and ICA. The operation targeted illegal vice and gambling activities in the vicinity of Jalan Besar, Little India, Beach Road, Chinatown, Boat Quay and Serangoon Road.

Ten men and 65 women, aged between 21 and 68, were arrested for offences mainly under the Women’s Charter Act 1961 and Gambling Control Act 2022. Cash of over $10,000, condoms, lubricants and mahjong tiles were seized as case exhibits.

Investigations against the 1,688 individuals are ongoing.

Director of Operations Department and 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 said: "The five-week anti-crime blitz is part of the police's ongoing efforts to clamp down on crime and illegal activities.

"The police remain steadfast in our commitment to upholding law and order. By working hand-in-hand with other law enforcement agencies, we want to send a strong message to criminals that they will face the full extent of the law.

"We urge members of the public to remain vigilant and to report any criminal or suspicious activities to the police.

"Singapore remains safe and secure due to the strong support and trust from the public, who act as our eyes and ears in the fight against crime."

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