A four-room Housing Board flat in Jurong West, suspected of being used as a brothel, was raided by police on Tuesday afternoon.

Three women between the ages of 34 and 48 were arrested in the raid. The Straits Times understands that they are from China.

Condoms and lubricants were seized from the flat.

According to Shin Min Daily News, two mattresses and a clothes rack with more than 30 towels hung out to dry were spotted in the living room.

Three men were observed visiting the flat within an hour, with one of them leaving after spending 15 minutes inside.

Responding to queries from ST yesterday, a police spokesman confirmed that an operation was conducted at Block 664C, Jurong West Street 64 at 3.03pm on Tuesday.

"Three women were arrested for suspected offences under the Women's Charter. Police investigations are ongoing," the spokesman added.

The arrests follow several reports of illegal brothels operating in HDB estates in Jurong West. Raids in the area go as far back as 2014.

In June, three women from China were arrested during a raid in Jurong West Street 65. They were on valid social visit passes but allegedly used them to commit vice-related offences.

Last month, ST reported that MPs in Pioneer and West Coast had called for more enforcement action following complaints from residents about HDB flats being used as brothels.

Most of the women who offer sexual services in such brothels do so via online listings.

Lee Min Kok