SINGAPORE, Dec 4 — A multi-agency operation in the wee hours yesterday, which saw checks conducted on several night spots at St James Power Station, resulted in the arrests of five men under the Secret Society Act or for disorderly behaviour.

A total of 125 persons were checked during the raid on five public entertainment outlets led by the Clementi Police Division, and supported by officers from the Criminal Investigation Department, Special Operation Command, Traffic Police, Singapore Civil Defence Force and Central Narcotics Bureau. About 60 officers were involved in the operation.

As part of the operation, the Traffic Police also conducted enforcement against drink driving in the vicinity of Telok Blangah Road, where 16 motorists were checked. A man and a woman were arrested for drink-driving.

The operation was the eighth in two weeks involving the entertainment venues at St James Power Station — located along Sentosa Gateway — following a string of rowdy incidents this year. In all, 17 people have been arrested during these operations.

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In March, for example, Satheesh Kumar Manogaran, 35, died in Postbar after a stabbing incident that arose from a dispute between him and a staff member of the club. Last month, two men and a woman, all aged 23, were arrested after a brawl at Envy Dance Club.

TODAY followed the authorities yesterday’s raid, which started at about 3.45am. At the first club to be checked, the officers ordered the lights to be turned on, and the music stopped.

The revellers, which numbered more than 30, had their identification documents checked. Within half an hour, two men who were suspected of being a member of unlawful society were whisked away in a police vehicle. The arrests caused a brief commotion outside the club as the men’s female companions kicked up a fuss.

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The subsequent raid at the night spot next door saw another three men taken away for refusing to co-operate with the officers doing their work.

Two of them were seen raising their voices and shoving the officers when asked to produce their identification documents.

Deputy Superintendent Ryan Koh, from the Bukit Merah West Neighbourhood Police Centre, said the operation was part of “ongoing effort against crime and licensing infringements at public entertainment outlets”.

“The police takes a serious view against criminal activities and will continue to work closely with our enforcement counterparts to clamp down on these activities. Offenders will be dealt with in accordance to the law.”

Investigations against the seven individuals arrested are ongoing. — TODAY