Singapore bust as mongers "flout circuit breaker measures"
19 men, aged 19 to 85, face fines for being in premises raided for vice
By Natasha Meah
11 MAY, 2020
https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/19-men-including-85-year-old-face-fines-flouting-circuit-breaker-after-being-found
SINGAPORE — Nineteen men, aged between 19 and 85, will be fined S$300 for flouting circuit breaker measures, after being found in premises that were not their homes during an anti-vice raid, the Singapore Police Force said in a statement on Sunday (May 10).
Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department and Central, Tanglin, Ang Mo Kio and Bedok divisions conducted coordinated raids between May 4 and 6, targeting vice-related activities in Housing and Development Board (HDB) estates, private condominiums, massage establishments and a hotel.
The men were found inside these premises.
During the raids, the police also arrested 30 women, aged between 19 and 48, for their suspected involvement in vice-related activities.
The police said that vice activities are increasingly being conducted in residential estates, facilitated by the use of online platforms to advertise vice-related services and solicit for clients.
This has caused significant disamenities to residents and affected their sense of safety and security, the police said.
“All property owners have a responsibility to ensure that such illicit activities do not take place in their properties. They should exercise vigilance and look out for suspicious or dubious tenants,” the police said in the statement.
“HDB flat owners are responsible for conducting regular checks to ensure that their tenants do not misuse the flat, further rent out any part of the flat, or create nuisance to their neighbours, as specified under HDB’s terms and conditions.”
The police added that HDB takes a serious view of flat owners and tenants who violate such conditions, particularly if the flat is misused for vice activities, and the authorities will not hesitate to take appropriate action against them.
Flat owners and tenants who knowingly allow their premises to be used for vice-related activities could be imprisoned for up to three years, fined up to S$3,000, or both, if convicted.
Those found acting as agents or pimps for vice activities could be jailed for up to five years and fined up to S$10,000.
For errant massage establishment licensees, they could be jailed for up to two years, fined up to S$10,000, or both. | |
