The Police have arrested two women and six men aged between 44 and 63, in enforcement operations targeting vice and illegal gambling activities conducted by Tanglin Police Division along Balestier Road and Lorong 8 Toa Payoh on 7 November 2019.
In the enforcement operation against vice activities along Balestier Road, two unlicensed massage establishments were detected. Two women and one man aged between 44 and 54, were also arrested. They are believed to have advertised sexual services online and carried out vice activities in one of the unlicensed massage establishments.
In another enforcement operation conducted along Lorong 8 Toa Payoh, five men aged between 51 and 63, were arrested for gambling in public. Poker cards and cash were seized.
Investigations are ongoing for both cases.
Action will be taken against the operators for flouting the rules and regulations under the Massage Establishment Act (MEA). Operators of unlicensed massage establishments are liable to enhanced penalties under the MEA. If convicted, first time offenders may face a fine of up to $10,000, or imprisonment of up to 2 years, or both. For repeat offenders, they will be liable to a fine of up to $20,000, or imprisonment of up to 5 years, or both.
Landlords and hotel owners are advised to ensure that tenants do not carry out vice activities inside their premises. Unlicensed brothel operators can be given a maximum fine of $10,000 and/or up to five years’ imprisonment. Any person who knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings of the prostitution of another person can also be jailed up to five years and fined up to $10,000. Action will be taken against landlords who knowingly lease their premises to unlicensed massage establishment operators or allow their premises to be used by those involved in vice activities.
Under the Common Gaming Houses Act, any person found guilty of gaming in public shall be liable to a fine of $5,000, imprisonment of up to 6 months, or both.
The Police take a serious view of anyone found breaking the law and will continue to take tough enforcement action against vice and illegal gambling activities.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
08 November 2019 @ 11:45 PM