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Longest police blitz against heartland brothels leads to more than 90 arrests in 11 days

SINGAPORE — Ninety-seven people have been arrested for vice-related offences out of Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats and condominium units, following the most extensive anti-vice raid in the heartlands the police have conducted.

A police vice raid at Block 512 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8. Photo: Nuria Ling/TODAY

A police vice raid at Block 512 Ang Mo Kio Ave 8. Photo: Nuria Ling/TODAY

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SINGAPORE — Ninety-seven people have been arrested for vice-related offences out of Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats and condominium units, following the most extensive anti-vice raid in the heartlands the police have conducted.

All except one of the suspects arrested were female and the police said the man, a China national, was charged in court for offences under the Women’s Charter on Friday (Jan 12) while investigations against the other suspects are ongoing.

Raids were conducted islandwide over 11 days by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) against heartland prostitution, covering more than 40 locations, including Ang Mo Kio, Jurong West, People’s Park, and Yishun.

TODAY understands that a majority of the prostitutes had advertised their services on two websites, where listings for sexual services are sorted by location. Customers arrange visits via phone calls or text messages.

On Friday (Jan 12), CID officers raided a three-room flat on the 11th-storey of Block 512 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 8, where they brought back two sisters, aged 30 and 35, to assist with investigations for suspected vice activities.

The two petite women, who are China nationals, are understood to be sub-tenants of the flat. The unit they rented had minimal furnishing.

Apart from two beds in bedrooms, there was a sofa in the kitchen, which served as a “waiting area” for clients. The living room was bare, occupied only by a clothes rack.

Photos: Nuria Ling/TODAY

An 84-year-old neighbour living three doors away, who wanted to be identified only as Mdm Ji, said she had observed different men visiting the unit over at least the last six months, but she has never spoken to the sisters.

Another neighbour who lives on the fifth floor said she “could not believe that such vice activities were happening in my neighbourhood”.

Unlicensed brothel operators can be given a maximum fine of S$10,000 and/or up to five years’ imprisonment, if convicted. Any person who knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings of the prostitution of another person can be jailed up to five years and fined up to S$10,000.

House owners who knowingly rent out their premises for vice-related activities may be fined up to S$3,000 and jailed up to three years for the first offence. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, they may be fined up to S$10,000 and jailed up to five years.

“House owners play an important role in preventing vice in heartlands, and are reminded to conduct regular checks on their tenants to prevent vice activities from proliferating in residential estates,” said the police.

Photo: Nuria Ling/TODAY

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