53 suspects arrested for various offences in 3-day police operation

Forty-seven men and six women were arrested for various offences in a three-day police operation last week.

Police said in a statement yesterday that the Central Police Division, with the support of the Central Narcotics Bureau, conducted the enforcement operation between last Friday and Sunday.

The arrested suspects are aged between 20 and 79.

The authorities arrested 26 men and one woman for gambling-related offences in King George's Avenue, Banda Street, Telok Blangah Crescent and Jalan Bukit Merah. Cash totalling $3,567 was seized.

Twelve men were arrested for vice and immigration-related offences in Rowell Road.

Four women who are believed to have advertised sexual services online and carried out vice activities at hotels and rented apartments were arrested in Syed Alwi and Merchant roads.

Nine men and one woman were arrested for suspected drug-related offences in North Bridge Road, with 235g of drugs seized.

Investigations into these cases are ongoing, said the police.

They added that the authorities will continue to clamp down on criminal activities, and that those found engaging in illicit activities will be dealt with sternly in accordance with the law.

Those arrested for gambling offences could be fined up to $5,000 and jailed for up to six months if convicted of gaming in public.

Unlicensed brothel operators who are convicted can be fined up to $10,000 and jailed for up to five years.

Anyone who knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings of prostitutes can be jailed for up to five years and fined up to $10,000.

Anyone who is convicted of trafficking a Class A controlled drug, such as cannabis, will face at least five years' jail and five strokes of the cane.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 17, 2018, with the headline 53 suspects arrested for various offences in 3-day police operation. Subscribe