24 Men Arrested In Joint Crime Suppression Operation At Public Entertainment And Nightlife Establishments

The_King · December 7, 2022

The Police have arrested 24 men, aged between 17 and 60, for various offences following a month-long joint crime suppression operation conducted between 4 and 30 November 2022. The operation was led by the Secret Societies Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department and supported by Central and Tanglin Police Divisions.

Close to 60 public entertainment and nightlife establishments, food & beverage outlets and over 230 persons were checked during the operations. The Police arrested 21 men, aged between 17 and 60, for being suspected members of unlawful societies. Another three men, aged between 32 and 34, were arrested for various other offences.

A 32-year-old man was allegedly found in possession of a truncheon and three vape devices along Claymore Drive and he was arrested under Section 22A(2) of the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act 1906 and Section 16(7) of the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993. He was also found to be wanted for failing to return to an approved institution under Section 12(5) of the Misuse of Drug (Approved Institutions, Medical Observation and Treatment and Rehabilitation) Regulations.
A 34-year-old man was allegedly found in possession of a karambit along Aliwal Street. He was arrested for the offence of carrying an offensive weapon in public under Section 6(1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958 and Consumption of Controlled Drugs under Section 8(b) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973. In addition, he was wanted for an offence of theft under Section 379 of the Penal Code 1871.
A 33-year-old man was allegedly found in possession of a vape device, an assortment of loose pills, and a bottle of cough syrup. He was arrested for consumption of controlled drugs under Section 8(b) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, possession of a vape device under Section 16(7) of the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act 1993, and possession of poisons under Section 9(1) of the Poisons Act 1938.

Police investigations against all 24 men are ongoing.

Anyone found guilty of being a member of an unlawful society under Section 14(3) of the Societies Act 1966 shall be liable on conviction to an imprisonment term not exceeding three years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. The offence of possession of a truncheon under Section 22A(2) of the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act 1906 carries an imprisonment term of up to one month, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. The offence of possession of an offensive weapon under Section 6(1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958 carries an imprisonment term of up to three years and mandatory caning of not less than six strokes.

The Police have zero tolerance towards any secret society activities that threaten public safety, peace, and good order of the community. The Police will continue to work closely with relevant stakeholders to conduct regular anti-crime and secret society suppression operations at various public entertainment and nightlife establishments, and popular congregation hotspots during the upcoming year-end festive season. Firm action will be taken against anyone who choose to associate with secret societies and blatantly disregard the law. Members of the public are also advised to steer clear of secret society activities and to report those engaging in such unlawful activities to the Police immediately.