33 women arrested after police received tip-off about soliciting at Geylang coffee shop
A total of 33 women, aged between 21 and 54, were arrested for their suspected involvement in vice activities and illegal employment-related offences at the coffee shop on the corner of Lorong 29 Geylang on Oct 7.
The enforcement operation was conducted by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department, Bedok Police Division, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, and Ministry of Manpower after the police received a tip-off about women soliciting at the coffee shop.
Many of the women, who hold passports from China and Vietnam, tried to cover their faces with their hands, reported The Straits Times. The officers were seen checking the women's hair for anything that might be hidden in it.
A 66-year-old liquor licensee of the coffee shop supplied liquor outside of the licensed premises and will be investigated under the Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Act.
Three other people, aged between 31 and 59, were found to have allegedly conducted unlawful lotteries. Cash amounting to more than $140 and betting-related paraphernalia were seized.
Investigations against the 37 people are ongoing.
Under the Women's Charter, any person who keeps, manages or assists in the management of a place of assignation, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both. Where the person is a repeat offender, he will be liable on conviction, to a fine not exceeding $150,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years or to both.
Any person who works without a valid work pass shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both.
Any person who is found to be involved in the unlawful conduct of lotteries shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $500,000 and shall also be punished with imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years.
A licensee of a liquor licence who supplies liquor outside the specified premises will be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000.
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