87 persons were arrested in a joint operation conducted by officers from the Singapore Police Force (Criminal Investigation Department, Volunteer Special Constabulary, Bedok Police Division and Traffic Police), with the support of the Singapore Civil Defence Force.
The anti-crime and anti-drink driving operation was led by the Criminal Investigation Department and ended in the early morning of 6 February 2015. During the operation, officers carried out a series of targeted raids and proactive checks at various locations including shophouses, coffee shops and back-alleys in the vicinity of Geylang. Road blocks were also set up in the vicinity of Geylang.
78 women, aged between 17 and 52, were arrested for vice-related activities, while 25 motorists were stopped and tested for alcohol consumption at the road-block points. Among the 25 motorists, 9 of them, all men aged between 25 and 57, failed the test and were arrested for drink-driving. The highest Breath Evidential Analyser (BEA) test result was 56 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, which is more than the prescribed legal limit of 35 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.
Investigations against those arrested are ongoing.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigations and Intelligence), Tan Chye Hee commended the officers from the various agencies for the excellent co-ordination and groundwork which resulted in the arrests. DCP Tan said, “Police are determined to keep crime off the streets. Working with other law enforcement agencies, we will continue to take tough enforcement action against those pre-disposed to crime and illegal activities. We will also continue with our operations to nab those who drink and drive.”
Drink drivers, upon conviction, will be disqualified from driving for at least 12 months. They will lose their driving licences and have to retake and pass the theory and practical driving tests in order to obtain their driving licences again. In addition, first-time offenders can be fined between $1,000 and $5,000 and can have their driving licences disqualified for a period of 12 to 48 months, depending on their BEA test results. Repeat offenders may be punished with a maximum fine of $30,000 and a mandatory jail term of up to three years. They may also be caned up to six strokes should death or serious injury be caused.
During the festive season, motorists are advised not to drive to drink so that they will not drink and drive. The public should do their part by not offering alcoholic drinks to anyone who intends to drive. Motorists should also take public transport or accept a lift from a friend who has not consumed any alcohol. These combined efforts and road safety practices will contribute to creating Safer Roads in Singapore.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
07 February 2015 @ 11:20 AM