10 men & 37 women, aged 20-88, arrested over 4-day police raids in Orchard, Whampoa & other areas

The Singapore police arrested 10 men and 37 women, aged 20 and 88, over four days following raids at a coffee shop, public entertainment outlets, and massage parlours.

The police said on Dec. 7 that the multi-agency operations took place between Dec. 3 and 6 at Orchard Road, Whampoa, Toa Payoh, Novena, Balestier, Kim Keat Road and Robertson Quay.

The raids, led by Tanglin Police Division, involved officers from the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

Coffee shop in Whampoa

Two police raids occurred on Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

The media accompanied the police to a coffee shop at Whampoa Drive before 9pm.

Piles of S$50 and S$100 notes were seized from an elderly man who was allegedly involved in illegal horse betting.

Another suspected bookmaker and six punters were caught.

The suspects were questioned on the spot.

Four suspects were then led to a van.

One of them was in handcuffs.

Public entertainment outlet in Orchard

The next raid occurred at a karaoke outlet at Far East Shopping Centre in Orchard at around 12am.

The women were separated into two rooms for investigations.

Some of their identity cards were secured with their mobile phones and placed in transparent bags.

A total of 22 women were arrested, with 12 of them handcuffed.

Those arrested will be investigated for various offences, including illegal gambling and vice-related activities.

Other raids

The police also conducted raids against illegal gambling activities in Toa Payoh between Dec. 3 and 4.

Another public entertainment outlet along Orchard Road was also raided.

A total of 26 women were arrested for offences under the Women’s Charter and Employment of Foreign Manpower Act.

Including the Whampoa raid, a total of 11 people, aged between 59 and 88, were arrested, and more than S$5,000 worth of cash and mobile phones were seized.

Massage parlours, as well as residential and commercial units in Novena, Balestier, Kim Keat Road and Robertson Quay, were raided between Dec. 5 and 6 as well.

A total of 10 people were arrested for offences under the Women’s Charter and the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act.

Police checked five public entertainment outlets along Orchard Road and were joined by SCDF on three of them.

Investigations against all 47 individuals are ongoing, the police said.

All photos via Mothership