162 arrested in 23-day anti-vice operation
Police have arrested 157 women and five men for their suspected involvement in vice-related activities.
The suspects, aged between 19 and 48, were apprehended during a 23-day operation that ended on 7 August, said the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in a media release on Saturday.
Officers involved in the operation conducted coordinated raids at multiple locations, including “condominiums, hotels and residential units at Geylang, Jalan Sultan, Cavenagh Road as well as Balestier Road”, said the SPF.
Laptops and mobile phones were seized as case exhibits and investigations against the suspects are ongoing.
“HDB takes a serious view on the misuse of HDB flats and will not hesitate to take appropriate actions against flat owners who are found to be involved in the misuse. This includes imposing a financial penalty, or compulsory acquisition of the flat,” said the SPF statement.
The police also reminded flat owners to conduct regular checks on their tenants to prevent vice activities from spreading in residential estates.
Flat owners convicted of knowingly renting out their premises for vice-related activities face fines of up to $3,000, jail terms of up to three years, or both, for their first offence.
Those found guilty of soliciting, receiving or agreeing to receive gratification linked to the prostitution of another person face a jail term of up to five years and a possible fine of up to $10,000, for their first offence. Repeat offenders are liable to be caned.
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