183 people under probe after police raids on nightspots including unlicensed ‘KTV-concept’ joints

SINGAPORE — The police are investigating 183 people after islandwide enforcement checks on 70 public entertainment and nightlife outlets between Sept 13 and Oct 23.

A total of 15 outlets were found to have committed various public entertainment and liquor control offences, as well as breaches of Covid-19 laws, the police said in a statement on Wednesday (Nov 3).

Several of the operators were also purportedly running unlicensed “KTV-concept” outlets, the police added.

Among the cases was an illegal KTV joint allegedly operating within a shophouse unit along Syed Alwi Road in Little India.

In a raid on Oct 2, the police found eight men and a woman there who were aged between 18 and 33.

The unit had several private rooms equipped with karaoke systems, televisions and microphones.

Bottles of liquor were also found in the rooms, which were allegedly supplied to customers, the police said.

A 21-year-old man, one of the nine people there, was established to be the purported operator of the outlet.

He was also found to be involved in other offences and was in possession of substances believed to be controlled drugs and drug-taking paraphernalia, the police said.

The man was arrested for public entertainment, liquor and drug-related offences.

Another man and a woman, aged between 18 and 21, who were found to be in the company of the 21-year-old man, were also arrested for suspected drug-related offences.

All nine people are assisting with investigations for Covid-19 safe distancing breaches.

In another incident on Oct 4, the police received a call for assistance regarding a large gathering in a mixed-use industrial building along Upper Paya Lebar Road.

A 28-year-old man was allegedly found running a common gaming house in a unit within the building, helped by another 28-year-old man.

Another 10 men and three women, aged between 21 and 51, were allegedly found playing poker and pool on a poker table and a pool table in the unit.

The unit also had a private room furnished with a karaoke system, gaming consoles, speakers and microphones.

All 15 were arrested for illegal gambling offences and are also being investigated for non-compliance with safe distancing regulations.

A 25-year-old man, who was not present during police checks, is being investigated for illegal gambling offences and for the provision of public entertainment without a licence.

A third incident on Oct 23 involved an unlicensed “KTV-concept” outlet operating within a mixed-use industrial unit along Tagore Lane in the Upper Thomson area.

The police found 39 men and 16 women, aged between 18 and 45, inside.

The unit was separated into two decks, each with a lounge area equipped with karaoke systems, televisions, speakers and flashing lights.

Bottles of liquor were also found on several tables.

Two of the men, aged between 31 and 35, were established to be the alleged operators of the outlet and were arrested for public entertainment and liquor control offences.

All 55 people will also be investigated for non-compliance with safe distancing measures, the police added.

Those convicted of supplying liquor without a valid licence and providing public entertainment without a valid licence can be fined up to S$20,000 for each offence.

Those found guilty of breaching Covid-19 safe distancing regulations may be jailed for up to six months or fined up to $10,000, or receive both punishments.

The police said that they will continue to carry out regular checks on public entertainment outlets to suppress vice and other illicit activities.

“Members of the public and businesses are advised to take the prevailing safe management measures seriously,” they added.