A multi-agency enforcement operation led by the Criminal Investigation Department on 16 July 2010 saw 188 persons (comprising 35 men and 153 women) arrested for various criminal offences.

The extensive operation was conducted from 16 July 2010 to yesterday evening, and involved more than 470 officers from the Singapore Police Force, Central Narcotics Bureau, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, Singapore Customs and the Health Sciences Authority. The arrests were made at various locations in Geylang, Joo Chiat, Jurong, Orchard Road , Selegie, Havelock Road and Boat Quay, including entertainment outlets, lodging houses, along the backlanes and forested areas. Breaches of public entertainment licensing conditions were also detected and gaming paraphernalia were seized. In addition, Custom officials seized more than 290 cartons of duty unpaid cigarettes during the operation.

The 188 persons were arrested for various criminal offences such as gang-related activities, immigration offences, illegal employment, peddling of contraband cigarettes, vice-related activities, illegal gambling, consumption of controlled drugs, furnishing false particulars and wilful trespass.

Investigations against those arrested are ongoing.

Director of the Criminal Investigation Department, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Ng Boon Gay said, “There will be no letting up on enforcement operations against all forms of illegal activities. Our enforcement agencies have demonstrated good rapport and synergy in a joint effort to keep crime off our streets. All persons arrested will be appropriately dealt with by the law.”