Police ops in Joo Chiat & Geylang: 8 men & 12 women, aged 24-55, arrested

A total of eight men and 12 women, aged between 24 and 55, were arrested for various offences, following enforcement operations conducted in Joo Chiat and Geylang on Jun. 20 and 27, 2025.

Another four men and two women, aged between 33 and 69, are assisting with investigations.

The operations were led by Bedok Police Division, supported by officers from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

No valid work pass

Following raids at the public entertainment outlets and hair salons, 12 women, aged between 32 and 50, were arrested for working without a valid work pass at the public entertainment outlets in Geylang and Joo Chiat.

Fire safety non-compliances were also observed at one of the outlets in Geylang.

These included non-maintenance of fire safety provisions, such as fire extinguishers and hose reel, and obstructions to emergency escape routes.

Hair salon & public entertainment outlets raided

One hair salon along Geylang Road was found providing massage services without a valid licence, and two other hair salons were found providing massage services beyond the stipulated operating hours.

All three outlets are being investigated under the Massage Establishments Act 2017.

Two public entertainment outlets in Joo Chiat were found to have their performing artistes mingling with patrons, and are being investigated under the Public Entertainment Act 1985.

Anti-drink driving operations

Traffic Police (TP) officers also conducted anti-drink driving enforcement checks along roads in the area.

These operations are part of SPF’s continuous efforts to clamp down on regulatory offences and illegal activities such as illegal touting, "ice" and drug-related activities in Joo Chiat and Geylang.

Seven motorists, aged between 24 and 55, were arrested for drink-driving.

Among those arrested for drink-driving was a 26-year-old man who was found to be driving a car without a valid driving licence and using a motor vehicle without insurance coverage under.

During the enforcement operation, a 48-year-old male motorcyclist was found to have duty-unpaid cigarettes, and e-vaporisers and related components in his possession.

He was also arrested for suspected drug-related offences.

The police K-9 Unit was observed at the scene.

The suspected drug-related offences have been referred to CNB, while the duty-unpaid cigarettes and e-vaporisers related findings have been referred to Singapore Customs and Health Sciences Authority (HSA), respectively.

Commander of Bedok Police Division, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Justin Wong said: “The operations show the Police’s commitment to stamp out illegal activities. Together with our law enforcement partners, we will work to keep the Geylang and Joo Chiat areas safe and secure."

"The police will take firm action against those who blatantly disregard the law.”

Penalties

Individuals found guilty of carrying on a business of providing massage services in an establishment for massage without a valid licence are liable to a fine of up to S$10,000, an imprisonment term of up to two years, or both. Repeat offenders are liable to a fine of up to $20,000, or an imprisonment term of up to five years, or both.

Individuals found guilty of working without a valid work pass are liable to a fine of up to S$20,000, an imprisonment term of up to two years, or both.

When a fire hazard is detected, SCDF will issue the Fire Hazard Abatement Notice (FHAN) to the responsible entity.

A FHAN is a written warning to the responsible entity to abate the fire hazard within a specified period.

If the fire hazard is not addressed, a Notice of Offence (NOO) will be issued to inform the responsible entity to rectify the offence before an offer to compound the offence is made.

A NOO may also be directly issued to the responsible entity if the nature of the fire safety infringement is very serious, such as shutting off the water supply to the hose reels of the entire building.

Upon rectification, composition fines up to S$5,000 may be imposed on the responsible entity.

Otherwise, prosecutorial action may be taken if they fail to rectify the fire hazard as required in the NOO.

The offence carries a fine of up to S$10,000 or a jail term of up to six months, or both.

In the case of a continuing offence, it carries a further fine of up to S$1,000 for every day or part of a day during which the offence continues after conviction.

Top photos by Ilyda Chua