SINGAPORE: Thirty-four people are under investigation for various crimes after a week-long multi-agency enforcement operation in Geylang, police said on Tuesday (Feb 8).
A total of 19 men and 15 women, aged 25 to 79, are being investigated.
Police said the operation took place from January 17 to January 21.
It is supported by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Central Drug Enforcement Agency (CNB), Health Sciences Authority (HSA), Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore Customs, Land Transport Authority (LTA) and Singapore Food Agency (SFA).
“Continuous and strong law enforcement is the key to ensuring the safety of Geylang Lorong and requires the continued efforts of various law enforcement agencies,” said Li Tingwei, commander of the Geylang Neighborhood Police Centre and deputy police chief.
“The police will continue to work closely with our community partners to prevent, deter and detect illegal activities in Geylang Lorong.”
Unregistered health products, electronic vaporizers and prohibited cigarettes
Two men, aged 29 and 43, were found in possession of substances believed to be unregistered health products, including various cough syrups and sex-enhancing products.
Electronic vaporizers and accessories were allegedly recovered from the men. Substances with a street value of close to S$9,000 were also seized.
Unregistered health products seized by police. (Photo: Singapore Police Force)
The individuals will be investigated for various offences under the Health Products Act and the Tobacco (Advertising and Sales Control) Act.
If convicted of importing, manufacturing and/or supplying unregistered health products, they could each be jailed for up to two years, fined up to S$50,000, or both.
Persons convicted of selling, offering to sell, possessing for sale, importing or distributing electronic carburetors and related accessories can be fined up to S$10,000, jailed for up to 6 months, or both for a first offense For a second or subsequent offence, a fine of up to S$20,000 and a jail term of up to 12 months, or both.
In addition, offenders who possess, use and purchase such items will be fined up to S$2,000.
During the enforcement action against duty-unpaid cigarettes, a total of 30 packs and 15 sticks of duty-unpaid cigarettes were seized.
A 78-year-old man is assisting an investigation into allegedly handling duty-unpaid cigarettes. Two other men, 33 and 54, were fined up to S$2,500 for possessing duty-unpaid cigarettes.
Purchasing, selling, transporting, delivering, storing, keeping, possessing or dealing with dutiable goods is considered a serious offence under the Customs Act and the GST Act. Violators can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST evaded, jailed up to 6 years, or both.
Cash worth S$950, computer terminals used for crime, and various gambling-related paraphernalia were seized.
Vice-related activities
Three men, aged 27 to 34, were arrested on suspicion of membership in an illegal society during an operation against illegal activity and social injustice.
In an enforcement action against illegal gambling, a total of five men and women, aged 42 to 62, were found to be engaged in gambling-related activities at a business unit located along Ubisoft Avenue 3.
They were subsequently arrested on suspicion of involvement in offences under the Remote Gambling Act.
Anyone convicted in Singapore of using remote communication gambling and using remote gambling services not provided by other exempt persons is liable to a fine of up to S$5,000, imprisonment of up to 6 months, or both .
A person who assists in the provision of illegal remote gambling services for others can be fined between S$20,000 and S$200,000, jailed for up to five years, or both.
A total of 10 women aged between 32 and 48 were charged under the Women’s Charter at a hotel along Geylang Lorong 22 and a massage parlor along Geylang Road in an enforcement action against prostitution-related activities and arrested.
During the operation, an allegedly unlicensed “KTV concept” branch was found inside a commercial unit on Geylang Road.
Allegedly, a total of five men and four women, aged between 25 and 47, were found singing karaoke and drinking in the unit. One of the men, 65, is believed to be the operator of the shop and will be investigated under the Public Entertainment Act and the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act.
The operator and five customers are also being investigated for violating COVID-19 regulations. If convicted, they could be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S$10,000, or both.
The police said they have “zero tolerance” for illegal activities that threaten public safety, peace and good order in the community, and will continue to work closely with relevant stakeholders to conduct regular law enforcement operations to crack down on illegal gambling, crackdowns in various nightlife venues and victims. A welcome rally hotspot for secret society activities and illegal activities.
“Strict action will also be taken against those who blatantly disregard the law. The public is also advised to avoid secret society activities and report immediately to the police those who engage in such illegal activities,” they said.
