HE TOLD police officers that he was in control and 'knew my limit'. Yet, the 60-year-old driver clearly needed help as he staggered out of his flashy red Ferrari, after three whiskeys.

He was one of 18 netted in a ring-fencing operation - a strategic move to nab drink drivers - by the police early yesterday morning (dec27).

Five roadblocks were set up simultaneously at Neil Road, Tanjong Pagar Road, Maxwell Road, Kreta Ayer Road and Cantonment Road, encircling popular watering holes in the area.

Officers sealed off all escape routes, even stationing themselves in the smaller lanes, and entrances and exits of public carparks.

Some 72 drivers, all men aged between 28 and 60, asked to take breathalyser tests in the four-hour long operation.

Police were on the look-out for telling signs such as slurred speech and a strong smell of alcohol.

Still, those who were hauled up insisted that they did not have too much to drink.

One middle-aged woman, who was riding pillion on a motorbike, protested in Mandarin: 'We just a few beers', as her boyfriend was led to a black police van.

The highest figure clocked in the breathalyser tests was 78mg, more than double the legal alcohol limit.

Read the full story in tomorrow's edition of The Sunday Times.