In an operation conducted by the Police on 28 September 2010, 78 people of various nationalities were arrested in the forested areas along Canberra Road, Canberra Link and Sembawang Drive. The suspects are believed to have used the cover of the forest for various illicit activities such as vice and gambling.

On 28 September 2010 at 10.20pm, acting on information received, officers from Ang Mo Kio Police Division, Criminal Investigation Department, Gurkha Contingent and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, simultaneously raided the forested areas along Canberra Road, Canberra Link and Sembawang Drive. A total of 55 men and 23 women of various nationalities including Thai, PRC, Indian, Bangladeshi, Malaysian and Singaporean nationals, were arrested for willful trespass on state land during the operation which lasted till 2.00am the following day.

Offenders found guilty of willful trespass under the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act, Chapter 184 may be fined up to $1,000. Work permit holders may also have their work permits cancelled.

Investigations are currently ongoing.

Commander of Ang Mo Kio Police Division, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police Hsu Sin Yun, commended the officers involved for a well-coordinated and successful operation. He added, "Operators who think they can get away with their illicit activities by operating under the cover of forested areas are sadly mistaken. The Police will come down hard on such activities and weed them out wherever they may be."