Join us as we follow our dedicated officers on a targeted, multi-agency enforcement operation in the heart of Orchard Road.
By: Domnic Dass
On 1 March 2024, just moments before midnight, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) led a multi-agency enforcement operation at public entertainment outlets along Orchard Road.
Officers from Tanglin Police Division, the Criminal Investigation Department, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Health Sciences Authority (HSA) joined forces to ensure the operation’s success. Here’s what we saw that night.
2300 hours: Location One
Just before midnight, Police vehicles arrived at the first location: a KTV lounge in the basement of an Orchard Road shopping centre. This marked the beginning of a meticulously planned enforcement operation.
Once the order was received, officers swiftly secured the KTV lounge. Orders were given to the operator and the once dimly lit and bustling outlet now stood bathed in bright light, the music abruptly silenced.
Officers commenced their investigations into vice and employment-related activities, conducting their queries with professionalism and diligence. Those suspected of various offences were arrested, pending further investigations.
Meanwhile, SCDF officers conducted checks at the lounge for fire safety-related breaches. HSA officers also searched for e-vaporisers, the possession of which is an offence punishable under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act.
Once all the enforcement checks in the KTV lounge had been completed, the officers quickly proceeded onto the next location.
0200 hours: Location Two
The enforcement vehicles arrived at a seemingly quiet shopping centre. Officers proceeded down a stairway leading to a basement KTV lounge. This one was much larger than the first and had more than 20 KTV rooms.
Officers swiftly entered the KTV lounge through a discreet rear entrance, catching those inside off-guard. The officers quickly secured the entrance and exit points along with adjacent walkways, blocking the escape routes.
Once the lounge was secured, the officers began their work. Among the areas that were searched was a VIP room, where a group of women was interviewed by the Police, ICA and MOM officers to investigate potential immigration and employment-related violations.
In a moment of desperation, suspects attempted to run away, only to find officers strategically positioned at the exits. Further inspection of the premises revealed additional items indicative of vice-related activities within the KTV lounge.
During the inspection of those in the KTV lounge, officers found two migrant workers who were unable to provide the necessary identification or work documents. Following further interviews by MOM officers, the suspects were arrested for possible employment-related breaches.
The Police also arrested a 54-year-old man for offences under the Societies Act 1966 and a 58-year-old woman for offences under the Criminal Procedure Code 2010.
With the completion of the checks, the enforcement operation drew to a close. Suspects were arrested for further investigations.
A total of three men and 21 women were arrested for offences under the Women’s Charter 1961, Employment of Foreign Manpower Act 1990, Societies Act 1966 and the Criminal Procedure Code 2010. Six women were arrested for offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973.
Additionally, three of the arrested women and six other men were caught with e-vaporisers, breaching the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, with 16 e-vaporisers seized. The two public entertainment outlets were also found with fire safety violations, leading to enforcement action by the SCDF.
Keeping Our Streets Safe and Secure
The enforcement operation marked the conclusion of a series of Police operations from 28 February to 2 March 2024, with a total of 14 men and 48 women, aged between 21 and 75, being investigated for various offences.
On 28 February 2024, Tanglin Police Division also conducted an enforcement operation against illegal gambling in Whampoa. Five men, aged between 65 and 75, were arrested for Gambling Control Act 2022 violations. Seized items included cash amounting to over $2,300, mobile phones and gambling-related paraphernalia.
Officers from Tanglin Police Division also carried out operations from 28 to 29 February 2024, targeting massage establishments and commercial units along Balestier Road, Orchard Road, Thomson Road and River Valley Road. A total of 22 women, aged between 23 and 46, were arrested under the Women’s Charter 1961.
“The joint operation led by Tanglin Police Division demonstrates the Police’s ongoing effort to keep the streets safe and secure for everyone,” said Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Cheong Chee Meng, Commander of Tanglin Police Division. “We will continue to sustain the tempo of operations and work closely with other law enforcement agencies to take tough actions against those involved in illicit activities. Offenders will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.”
Want to learn more about this series of enforcement operations? Click here to find out more!
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