LaKopiNews.com

In the annual beach grading exercise, Pasir Ris Beach and Sembawang Park Beach have been downgraded from "Good" to "Fair" due to increased levels of Enterococcus bacteria in the water. Public advisories against swimming and primary contact water activities are in place until further notice. Other beaches remain "Good" but beachgoers are advised to check short-term water quality information before engaging in water activities. Investigations are underway to identify and mitigate the sources of elevated bacteria levels.

  Singapore Customs conducted a successful operation in Jurong West Street 81, seizing 68 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes and cash amounting to $3,290. The driver, a 42-year-old Chinese national, was arrested, and further investigations revealed his involvement in a larger illicit trade network. Subsequent operations led to the arrest of six more individuals and the seizure of additional contraband. Two offenders have already been convicted, while others face ongoing court proceedings. Dealing with duty-unpaid goods carries heavy penalties under the Customs and GST Acts, including hefty fines and imprisonment of up to six years.

  A 20-year-old Chinese man was apprehended by the Police with the help of five civilians after allegedly attacking seven individuals with a knife and chopper at 301 Commonwealth Avenue. Preliminary investigations indicate that the man acted alone, and the incident is not believed to be an act of terrorism. The suspect will be charged with voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons and undergo a psychiatric assessment. Three civilians were honored with the Public Spiritedness Award for their bravery in detaining the assailant. Police remind the public that carrying offensive weapons in public without a lawful purpose is a punishable offense.

In a coordinated effort between the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and seven Police Land Divisions, Singaporean authorities arrested 84 women and 15 men, aged 18 to 49, for suspected involvement in vice-related activities. Additionally, a man and two women, aged 56 to 84, are assisting with Police inquiries. Raids at 55 locations across the island, including massage parlors, beauty salons, hotels, and residences, led to the seizure of mobile phones, cash exceeding S$27,000, and one vehicle. Charges have been filed against two individuals, with investigations ongoing for others involved. The Police are committed to combating vice syndicates, leveraging technology and community partnerships to ensure public safety and security.

  The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has issued a public alert advising against the purchase or consumption of "骨節靈 (Gu Jie Ling)." HSA's analysis revealed the presence of dexamethasone, a potent steroid, in the product, leading to a case of Cushing’s syndrome in a consumer. The product, marketed as a traditional medicine for pain relief, also contained cetirizine, an antihistamine. Despite claims of being side effect-free and made from traditional Chinese medicines, the product was found to be adulterated with medicinal ingredients. Consumers are urged to seek medical advice if they have taken the product, while sellers and suppliers are warned to cease its distribution immediately to avoid legal repercussions.

  Wee Hong Ee, 41, received a five-week jail term after pleading guilty to using criminal force to outrage the modesty of a person at a Genshin Impact fan event in Suntec. Wee, accompanied by his wife and child, exposed himself and rubbed his genitals against a female cosplayer. Despite pleading guilty early, the court considered aggravating factors, including the public setting of the offence. Deputy Public Prosecutor Delicia Tan sought a jail term of four to eight weeks, while defense counsel Jared Lee appealed for four weeks' jail, citing remorse. District Judge Terence Tay acknowledged Wee's early plea but emphasized the seriousness of the offence in a crowded public place.

  On January 29, 2024, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) conducted two separate operations resulting in the arrest of two men and one woman, all Singaporean nationals, for suspected drug trafficking offenses. The operations yielded a significant seizure, including 2,602g of cannabis, 346 tablets of 'Ecstasy', 498g of 'Ecstasy', 842g of 'Ice', 46g of ketamine, 11g of cocaine, 160 Erimin-5 tablets, 107 LSD stamps, and five bottles containing suspected GHB. The seizure, particularly the cannabis and 'Ice', could have supplied approximately 850 abusers for a week. In the first operation, CNB officers intercepted a vehicle on Havelock Road, leading to the arrest of a 35-year-old male driver and the recovery of 955g of cannabis, 166g of 'Ecstasy', 138g of 'Ice', 24g of ketamine, 160 Erimin-5 tablets, 107 LSD stamps, and five bottles of suspected GHB. The estimated value of the seized drugs was approximately $118,000. Simultaneously, in another...

  A 54-year-old man has been arrested by the police for his alleged involvement in a housebreaking incident at a temple along Lorong 16 Geylang. The incident, reported on January 25, 2024, involved the theft of a chain. Through diligent investigations aided by CCTV and Police camera footage, officers from Bedok Police Division identified and apprehended the suspect on January 26, 2024. The stolen chain, valued at approximately $45, was recovered. The man is set to face charges of housebreaking and theft under Section 451 of the Penal Code 1871, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a fine. The police advise the public to take preventive measures such as securing premises with quality grilles and padlocks, avoiding keeping large sums of cash and valuables, and installing security measures like burglar alarms, motion sensor lights, and CCTVs.

  In several arrests, the police have apprehended individuals allegedly inv olved in loanshark harassment incidents across different locations in Singapore. 1st case involved a 26-year-old man arrested for his suspected role in a case at Tampines Street 71, where red paint was sprayed on a residential unit's gate. 2nd case involved a 54-year-old woman who was detained for her involvement in a similar incident at Tampines Street 44, where she claimed she was hired to perform cleaning services but ended up securing the gate with bicycle locks at the behest of an unknown caller. 3rd case involved a 41-year-old man apprehended for a case at Serangoon Avenue 4, where a debtor’s note was left behind. Investigations are ongoing, and the police emphasize their zero-tolerance stance towards loanshark harassment, stressing severe consequences for offenders who vandalize properties and disrupt public safety.

A transnational scam syndicate involved in fake friend call scams, which targeted Singaporean victims, has been dismantled in a joint operation by the Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) and the Johor Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) in Malaysia. Over 6,300 victims fell prey to these scams from January to November 2023, resulting in losses exceeding S$21.1 million. Following collaborative efforts between the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP), five Malaysian men, aged 19 to 36, were arrested in Johor. The syndicate, operating since June 2023, is linked to more than 500 reports with losses surpassing S$1.4 million. The suspects will face charges in Singapore, emphasizing the authorities' commitment to combat transnational scams. The public is cautioned to remain vigilant against fake friend call scams, urging caution regarding urgent financial requests from unknown callers claiming to be friends.