2-12-2024 (SINGAPORE) Singapore authorities have arrested seven men aged between 23 and 61 in connection with an illegal brothel operating from a shophouse in Little India.
The Central Police Division coordinated the raid on November 29, marking the first urban operation to employ thermal imaging drones for surveillance. The technology was deployed following previous incidents where suspects attempted to evade arrest by escaping to rooftops.
Inside the three-storey establishment, officers discovered a carefully concealed operation where foreign men, dressed as women, were providing sexual services to male clients. The premises featured eight makeshift service rooms on the first floor, equipped with basic amenities including beds, washbasins, and various personal items.
Most of the arrested individuals were Malaysian passport holders. Six were detained for working without valid permits, while one was arrested for employing workers without proper documentation. The latter is believed to have served as a caretaker for the workers.
Superintendent Chen, head of investigations at the Central Police Division, stated: “The deployment of drone technology significantly enhanced our operational capabilities. This successful intervention demonstrates our commitment to leveraging technology in law enforcement.”
The raid revealed concerning living conditions, with the second floor serving as cramped living quarters for the workers. Despite the establishment’s poor facilities, authorities found posters promoting “clean and safe services,” ironically emphasising HIV prevention and safe sex practices.
The operation highlights the growing sophistication of police enforcement methods in Singapore, with thermal imaging drones proving particularly effective in urban surveillance. The technology allowed officers to precisely track movement within the building, ensuring no suspects could escape through concealed exits or rooftop routes.
