SINGAPORE - Eighteen suspected immigration offenders were arrested in Geylang during an enforcement operation on Thursday.

Officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) nabbed 17 men and one woman, aged between 35 and 51 years old.

All are from China and Vietnam and are suspected of overstaying in Singapore.

Investigations are ongoing.

Under the Immigration Act (Cap 133), the penalties for overstaying or illegal entry are a jail term of up to six months and a minimum of three strokes of the cane. Those found guilty of illegal departure can be fined up to $2,000, jailed for a maximum of six months, or both.

The ICA advised homeowners to check the status of prospective foreign tenants to ensure that their status in Singapore is legal.