A total of 309 men and 157 women, aged between 15 and 80, are being investigated for various offences, following multiple island-wide enforcement operations that were conducted from 28 December 2022 to 10 January 2023.
In light of the year-end celebrations and the upcoming Chinese New Year festivities, the Police continue to enhance our enforcement blitz island-wide. More than 640 officers were deployed across the various Police Land Divisions and over 80 operations were conducted. Officers conducted checks on more than 1,500 people, of which 152 were arrested.
The enhanced enforcement operations during this period aimed to clamp down on crime and illegal activities, such as illegal gambling, vice activities, and drug-related offences, among others.
The details of some of the operations are as follows:
- On 10 January 2023, officers from Bedok Police Division led a joint enforcement operation involving officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). The operation targeted illegal activities in Geylang. Three men and four women, aged between 34 and 73, are being investigated for their involvement in offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022. Cash amounting to over $48,000 and gambling paraphernalia such as makeshift gambling tables and gambling chips were seized during the operation. Two men, aged between 31 and 41, are also being investigated by HSA under the Health Products Act 2007. Unregistered health products consisting of various sexual enhancement medicines with an estimated value of $3,317 were seized.
- On 4 January 2023, 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 31 December 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 persons were checked. 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.
Acting Director of Operations Department, Assistant Commissioner (AC) Gregory Tan commended the strong collaboration and efforts by the Police and the various agencies involved in the joint operations. He added, “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.”
Photos
Officers patrolling at Vision Exchange to deter public order incidents
A joint enforcement operation against illicit activities in Geylang
Person being investigated during a joint enforcement operation in Geylang
Unregistered health products seized during a joint enforcement operation in Geylang
An anti-gambling enforcement operation in Geylang
Gambling paraphernalia seized during an anti-gambling enforcement operation in Geylang
Cash and handphones seized during an anti-gambling enforcement operation in Woodlands
Officers conducting checks in Sentosa
Officers conducting checks at a public entertainment outlet at Orchard Plaza
A push dagger seized during a series of secret society suppression operations
A knife seized during a series of secret society suppression operations
A knuckle duster seized during a series of secret society suppression operations
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
13 January 2023 @ 3:30 PM