Police nab 35 for vice, gambling activities
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Timothy Goh
A total of 35 people, aged between 21 and 88 years, were arrested in an anti-vice operation which lasted from Monday to Wednesday.
As part of the operation, a series of raids targeting vice and gambling activities were conducted in the vicinity of Beach Road, Bencoolen Street, Tiong Bahru Road, Temple Street, Jalan Membina and Havelock Road. Two men and 13 women were arrested for gambling-related offences in the vicinity of Jalan Membina and Temple Street.
Another 17 women were arrested for offences under the Women's Charter. These women, who were on work permits and short-term visit passes, were believed to be offering sexual services online and operated from hotels and hostels.
The remaining three men were arrested for immigration-related offences.
On Thursday, the police advised landlords and hotel owners to ensure that tenants and guests do not carry out vice activities in their premises.
Unlicensed brothel operators can be fined up to $10,000 or jailed up to five years, or both.
Any person who knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings of the prostitution of another person can be jailed up to five years and fined up to $10,000.
Under the Common Gaming House Act, any person caught gaming in public can be fined up to $5,000 or jailed up to six months, or both. Gaming refers to the act of playing any game of chance or of mixed chance and skill for money or money's worth.
The police said they will clamp down hard on vice and illegal gambling activities, and that those found engaging in illicit activities will be dealt with sternly in accordance with the law.
