Three hair salons raided in clampdown on touting, vice, drugs in Geylang and Joo Chiat
- Police raided Geylang and Joo Chiat, arresting 20 and investigating six for offences including unlicensed massage and work pass violations.
- Raids targeted hair salons offering illegal massage services and KTV lounges employing women without valid work permits.
- Traffic Police arrested seven for drink driving and one for suspected drug offences; drink driving fatalities increased in 2024.
SINGAPORE – Hair salons and public entertainment outlets in Geylang and Joo Chiat were targeted in recent enforcement operations that saw 20 people arrested and six others being investigated.
The police had raided three salons in Geylang on June 27.
At one outlet, plainclothes officers caught women offering unlicensed massage services.
There were four men receiving such services in this salon during the raid – the first operation at such outlets that the media has been allowed to observe.
The men sat on massage beds at the back of the shop while the police questioned the women. Although they were allowed to leave, the men stayed behind, hoping to get a refund.
Based on identity checks, several of the women appeared to be Singapore permanent residents.
Shops like this one often present a typical salon set-up at the front, while the back contains massage stations with beds separated by thin dividers.
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The shop where the media observed the police raid had four massage beds, six hair washing beds, and two foot massage recliners.
At least seven women were working there at the time.
The Straits Times had visited this same shop in 2024, as part of reporting for an article on how
hair salons in Geylang were suspected to be fronts for vice
, exploiting a gap in existing regulations.
Under the massage establishment licensing system, at least 80 per cent of employees at massage parlours and spas must be certified in beauty therapy services.
Under the massage establishment licensing system, at least 80 per cent of employees at massage parlours and spas must be certified in beauty therapy services.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
Some vice operators have tried to sidestep these rules by branding their outlets as beauty, and hair salons.
Following ST’s report in December 2024, the hair salon operator had posted on TikTok offering a $20,000 reward to anyone who could find illegal activity inside their shop.
The salon, along with the two others found to be providing massage services beyond stipulated operating hours, are now being investigated for offences under the Massage Establishments Act.
The police also raided public entertainment outlets in Geylang and Joo Chiat on June 20 and June 27 to clamp down on activities like touting, vice and drug-related activities.
A total of 12 women, aged between 32 and 50, were arrested for working without valid work passes.
On June 27, the media was also taken to a KTV lounge in Geylang where 10 women were arrested. All were Chinese nationals.
Customers continued partying even as the police raid unfolded.
The police said one of the outlets in Geylang had fire safety violations such as obstructions to emergency escape routes.
As part of the wider enforcement operations, the Traffic Police conducted anti-drink driving checks in the area.
Seven motorists, aged between 24 and 55, were arrested for drink driving, including a 26-year-old man who did not have a valid driving licence.
More people were
caught drink driving
with 1,778 such arrests in 2024, up 6.9 per cent from 2023.
Drink driving-related accidents dropped from 180 to 166 cases in the same time period, but the number of fatal accidents linked to drink driving increased from 11 cases in 2023 to 12 in 2024.
During the enforcement operation, a 48-year-old male motorcyclist was arrested for suspected drug-related offences. He had duty-unpaid cigarettes and e-vaporisers in his possession.
Those convicted of running a business providing unlicensed massages can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $10,000.
Repeat offenders can be jailed for up to five years and fined up to $20,000.
Those convicted of working without a valid work pass can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $20,000.
