28 women arrested in operation against vice activities

SINGAPORE: Twenty-eight women were arrested during a series of crackdowns on vice activities in private housing, massage parlors and public entertainment venues, said the police in a statement released Monday, July 23. Raids took place between July 17 and July 20.

Seven women, ages 26 to 47, were arrested for violations of the Women's Charter in private apartments along Balestier Road, Cavenagh Road, and Boon Teck Road. One of seven women, as well as another 40-year-old woman, were also arrested for immigration offenses.

In a separate raid on massage parlors along Thomson Road, Macpherson Road, Outram Road, Balestier Road, Orchard Road and Scotts Road, six institutions operated as unlicensed massage facilities.

A massage establishment was also found guilty of violating licensing conditions and a 43-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion.

Meanwhile, performance checks at public entertainment venues along Tanglin Road revealed that a point of sale had breached the licensing conditions.

Thirteen women aged 19 to 30 years were arrested. Two of the 13 women, along with three other women, were also arrested for appearing naked in public.

Three other women were also arrested for immigration offenses.

The police said that measures would be taken against apartment owners who use their premises to commit vices and against operators who do not abide by the rules. Massage Establishments Act

Where he is found guilty of having run a massage facility without a license, the first recidivist may be fined up to $ 10,000, maximum imprisonment of two years or both. $ 20,000, up to five years in jail or both

These penalties are part of the new Massage Facilities Act passed last November, which has increased the fines tenfold and increased the number of jail terms to make the offense more dissuasive.

Police also announced that it would take action against property owners who, knowingly, rent their property to unauthorized massage facility operators