15 people arrested in Joo Chiat after multi-agency enforcement operation on entertainment outlets

A multi-agency enforcement operation against errant public entertainment outlets was held on Nov. 8, 2024.

12 men and three women, aged between 19 and 63, were arrested for various offences, including working without a valid work permit, suspected drink driving, suspected consumption and possession of controlled drugs, and possession of scheduled weapons.

Two entertainment outlets are also being investigated for breaching public entertainment licensing conditions.

Another 11 men, aged between 29 and 62, are also being investigated for possession of e-vaporisers and breaches of the Fire Safety Act 1993 and the Environmental Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations.

The operation was led by the Bedok Police Division and supported by officers from the Traffic Police, the Police K9 unit, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), and Singapore Food Agency (SFA), was conducted in the vicinity of Joo Chiat.

The Traffic Police also supported the operation by conducting ringfencing operations.

Clamping down on illicit activities

In a press release to the media, the Singapore Police Force said that while the law and order situation in Joo Chiat has improved over the years, it remains a hotspot for public entertainment outlets.

As such, the police conduct regular enforcement operations to keep the situation in check.

“This multi-agency enforcement operation is part of Bedok Police Division’s continuous efforts to clamp down on illicit activities and regulatory offences in the area.”

15 arrested in raid

The raid started at 9:30pm on Nov. 8 and extended into the early hours of Nov. 9 until 2:30am.

When Mothership arrived at the scene after midnight, the police officers had raided three entertainment outlets with several men and women arrested.

A man was arrested in one outlet for suspected consumption and possession of controlled drugs.

The man appeared agitated, often glancing up and turning his head away immediately.

Two women were arrested in the same outlet for working without valid work permits.

The women looked down as the media took photos.

The media were kept out of the second entertainment outlet as patrons were rowdy and appeared to be making complaints.

During the enforcement operation, the traffic police also stopped vehicles and arrested three for drug and traffic-related offences.

One of the men shook his leg constantly as he spoke to the officers.

The police K9 unit was activated to conduct further checks, during which more drugs were successfully found inside the vehicle.

Police will sternly deal with those in breach of laws

After the raid, the Commanding Officer of Marine Parade Neighbourhood Police Centre, Deputy Superintendent of Police Benjamin Tan, spoke to the media.

“Any public entertainment licensing breaches and unlawful activities will be sternly dealt with by the police,” he said.

The continued efforts of government agencies and the community over the years have led to improvements in the law and order situation in Joo Chiat, he added.

“We will continue to work closely with other agencies to act swiftly against errant outlet operators and any other persons who are found to have committed unlawful activities there.”

Offences

Here are all the penalties for the offences of the people and entertainment outlets being investigated:

Top photos by Khine Zin Htet/Mothership