A total of eight men and 12 women, aged between 24 and 55, were arrested for various offences, following enforcement operations conducted in Joo Chiat and Geylang on 20 June and 27 June 2025. Another four men and two women, aged between 33 and 69, are assisting with investigations.
The operations were led by Bedok Police Division, supported by officers from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). During the operation, Traffic Police (TP) officers also conducted anti-drink driving enforcement checks along roads in the area. These operations are part of SPF’s continuous efforts to clamp down on regulatory offences and illegal activities such as illegal touting, vice and drug-related activities in Joo Chiat and Geylang.
Some illegal activities uncovered are as follows:
- At the public entertainment outlets and hair salons, 12 women, aged between 32 and 50, were arrested for working without a valid work pass under Section 5(2) of the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990 at the public entertainment outlets in Geylang and Joo Chiat. Fire safety non-compliances were also observed at one of the outlets in Geylang. These included non-maintenance of fire safety provisions such as fire extinguishers and hose reel, and obstructions to emergency escape routes.
- One hair salon along Geylang Road was found providing massage services without a valid licence, and two other hair salons were found providing massage services beyond the stipulated operating hours. All three outlets are being investigated under Section 5(1) of the Massage Establishments Act 2017. Two public entertainment outlets in Joo Chiat were found to have their performing artistes mingling with patrons, and are being investigated under Section 28(1)(c) of the Public Entertainment Act 1985
- Seven motorists, aged between 24 and 55, were arrested for drink-driving under Section 67(1)(b) of the Road Traffic Act 1961. Among those arrested for drink-driving was a 26-year-old man who was found to be driving a car without a valid driving licence under Section 35(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1961 and using a motor vehicle without insurance coverage under Section 3(1) of the Motor Vehicles (Third-Party Risks and Compensation) Act 1960. During the enforcement operation, a 48-year-old male motorcyclist was found to have duty-unpaid cigarettes, and e-vaporisers and related components in his possession. He was also arrested for suspected drug-related offences. The suspected drug-related offences have been referred to CNB, while the duty-unpaid cigarettes and e-vaporisers related findings have been referred to Singapore Customs and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) respectively.
Please refer to Annex A for photos of the operations and Annex B for penalties of the offences.
Commander of Bedok Police Division, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Justin Wong said, “The operations show the Police’s commitment to stamp out illegal activities. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will work to keep the Geylang and Joo Chiat areas safe and secure. The Police will take firm action against those who blatantly disregard the law.” He also expressed his appreciation to all the agencies involved for their strong support and commended the officers for their professionalism and excellent teamwork during the multi-agency operation.
Annex A
Photographs of enforcement operations in Joo Chiat
Photographs of enforcement operations in Geylang
Annex B – Penalties of Offences
Individuals found guilty of carrying on a business of providing massage services in an establishment for massage without a valid licence under Section 5(1) of the Massage Establishments Act 2017 are liable to a fine of up to $10,000, an imprisonment term of up to two years, or both. Repeat offenders are liable to a fine of up to $20,000, or an imprisonment term of up to five years, or both.
Individuals found guilty of working without a valid work pass under Section 5(2) of the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990 are liable to a fine of up to $20,000, an imprisonment term of up to two years, or both.
When a fire hazard is detected, SCDF will issue the Fire Hazard Abatement Notice (FHAN) under Section 28 of the Fire Safety Act 1993, to the responsible entity. A FHAN is a written warning to the responsible entity to abate the fire hazard within a specified period. If the fire hazard is not addressed, a Notice of Offence (NOO) will be issued to inform the responsible entity to rectify the offence before an offer to compound the offence is made.
A NOO may also be directly issued to the responsible entity if the nature of the fire safety infringement is very serious, such as shutting off the water supply to the hose reels of the entire building. Upon rectification, composition fines up to $5,000 may be imposed on the responsible entity. Otherwise, prosecutorial action may be taken if they fail to rectify the fire hazard as required in the NOO. The offence carries a fine of up to $10,000 or a jail term of up to 6 months, or both. In the case of a continuing offence, it carries a further fine of up to $1,000 for every day or part of a day during which the offence continues after conviction.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
02 July 2025 @ 3:00 PM