SINGAPORE – After island-wide controls in 70 entertainment and nightlife establishments, a total of 183 people are identified by the police.
The police said in a statement on Wednesday (November 3rd) that the controls took place between September 13th and October 23rd.
Fifteen public entertainment and nightlife establishments were found to have violated Covid-19 measures, violated provisions of the Public Entertainment Act and the Alcohol (Supply and Consumption) Control Act, and violated other laws.
“The police will not tolerate irresponsible behavior in connection with disregarding these measures, and the perpetrators will be treated in accordance with the law,” said the police.
In one case, police carried out an operation on October 2 that targeted an unlicensed KTV branch operating in a shop unit on Syed Alwi Road in Jalan Besar.
Eight men and one woman between the ages of 18 and 33 were in the unit. They support investigations into violations of Covid-19 measures.
The unit had private rooms that were equipped with karaoke systems, televisions, and microphones.
Bottles of spirits allegedly delivered to customers of the outlet were found in the private rooms.
A 21-year-old man, presumably the operator, was in the unit. He was found in possession of what is believed to be controlled drugs and drug users.
He was arrested with a man and a woman between the ages of 18 and 21.
In a second incident on October 4, police inspected a building along Upper Paya Lebar Road after receiving a call about a large gathering there.
A 28-year-old man is accused of running a common playhouse in a unit within the building. He was assisted by another 28-year-old man.
Ten men and three women are said to have been found playing poker and billiards in a building on Upper Paya Lebar Road on October 4, 2021. PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
Ten men and three women between the ages of 21 and 51 reportedly played poker and billiards.
There was also a private room, which was equipped with a karaoke system, game consoles, speakers, and microphones and was supposedly used for public entertainment.
All 15 people were arrested for offenses under the Common Gaming Houses Act and it is also being investigated for violating the Covid-19 rules.
A 25-year-old man who was not present during the police raid is under investigation for crimes under the Common Gaming Houses Act and for providing public entertainment without a license under the Public Entertainments Act.
How the 25-year-old relates to the incident was not disclosed.
A third incident on October 23 involved an unlicensed KTV branch along Tagore Lane near Upper Thomson Road.
Police found 39 men and 16 women between the ages of 18 and 45 in the unit. They are all being investigated for disregarding safe distancing measures.
Thirty-nine men and 16 women were found in an unlicensed KTV branch along Tagore Lane on October 23, 2021. PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
The machine was equipped with karaoke systems, televisions, speakers, and flashing lights. Bottles of schnapps were also found in the apartment.
Two of the men, aged 31 and 35 who are believed to be the operators of the point of sale, have been arrested for offenses under the Public Entertainments Act and the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act.
The offenses of delivering liquor without a valid license and providing public entertainment without a valid license will each result in a fine of up to $ 20,000.
For violating the Covid-19 safe distancing rules, perpetrators can be detained for up to six months, fined up to $ 10,000, or both.