15 arrested in multi-agency raid on Joo Chiat’s public entertainment establishments, Singapore News

During a multi-agency enforcement operation against errant public entertainment establishments on Friday night (November 8), 12 men and three women, aged between 19 and 63, were arrested on various charges.

Offenses include operating without a valid work permit, suspected drunk driving, driving without a valid license and insurance, questionable consumption and possession of controlled drugs, and possession of a scheduled weapon.

Members of the media, including AsiaOne, were invited to observe enforcement operations led by the Bedok Police Division in Joo Chiat on Friday night.

Police said on Wednesday that the enforcement operation was part of ongoing efforts to crack down on illegal activity and regulatory offenses in the area.

Members of the media arrived at the scene just after midnight on Saturday and were taken to the second floor of the first KTV station.

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There, police officers detained two women, estimated to be in their 20s, for allegedly working without a valid permit.

A man who appeared dazed was also arrested at the same location on suspicion of drug use.

Another woman was arrested for working at the second KTV channel without a valid permit.

Plans to allow the media to view the scene did not go as they should, with some of the remaining patrons becoming visibly upset and noisy by the presence of the cameras. Police officers, standing by to maintain order, moved quickly to remind them that they needed to cooperate.

At the corner of Onan Road, AsiaOne observed traffic police officers conducting a fencing operation in support of the ongoing multi-agency operation.

The multi-agency effort involved officers from the Central Narcotics Bureau, Health Sciences Authority, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, Singapore Civil Defense Force and Singapore Food Agency.

These checks were carried out on drivers in Joo Chiat for traffic-related offenses such as drunk driving.

Media witnessed a male driver being detained for traffic-related offenses and possession of drug paraphernalia. The K-9 unit was then called to check his vehicle for any other hidden drugs or prohibited items.

The operation ended after 1.30 am when the police took the arrested people to waiting police vehicles.

Speaking to the media at the end of the operation, Marine Parade Neighborhood Police Station Commander and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Benjamin Tan said the police would deal seriously with any public entertainment license violations and illegal activities.

“Thanks to the continued efforts of government agencies and the community over the years, the law and order situation in Joo Chiat has improved.

“We will continue to work closely with other agencies to take swift action against errant (public entertainment) outlet operators and others found to be engaging in illegal activities there,” DSP Tan said.

The police’s e-services portal lists Joo Chiat as one of nine places in Singapore where a new public entertainment license is unlikely to be issued to ease law and order concerns and manage the number of such establishments.

Both entertainment establishments are being investigated for breaching public entertainment license conditions.

Licensees who violate a public entertainment license may have their licenses suspended or revoked. They may also be fined not to exceed $10,000.

Police said 11 men, aged between 29 and 62, were also investigated for possession of e-vaporisers and breaches of the Fire Safety Act and Environmental Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations.

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