Drones used by Singapore Police in Little India anti-vice op; six of the men arrested were dressed in women's clothing

SINGAPORE - As the streets of Little India near Desker Road burst into life at around 9pm on Nov 30, the noise drowned out the hum of small machines hovering above.

Two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, were being operated covertly by police officers from a nearby vantage point overlooking the rows of shophouses lining the streets.

On the ground, a quiet back alleyway nestled between a bustling eatery and a provision store had been cordoned off by the authorities.

The drones were being deployed by the police in an anti-vice raid led by the Central Police Division.

The media was invited to observe this on the sixth and last day of the operation.

It saw a total of 194 people arrested for employment and drug offences, offences under the Women's Charter and possession of weapons. Four others are being investigated for forgery and cheating offences.

On Nov 30, a shophouse in Little India was raided, and seven men aged between 23 and 61 were arrested for suspected vice activities at the unit, located just a few minutes' walk from a neighbourhood police centre.

Six of the men were dressed in women's clothing.

One man, believed to be a caretaker, was arrested for employing foreign employees without a valid work pass. The six other men were arrested for working without a valid work pass.

As a team of officers breached the shophouse's door, four UAV pilots from the Aerial Response Team operated two drones from above.

The UAVs had thermal imaging sensors to detect heat signatures, so officers could see if any suspects tried to flee from the rooftops.

To aid ground officers, the drone operators could relay real-time information on people's movements at all entry and exit points of the shophouse.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Esther Koh, head of operations at Central Police Division, said the drones were effective in complementing the urban operations.

The shophouse's entrance and exit were through a dimly lit back alleyway. The back door to the brothel was lit up with a faint red fluorescent bulb.

The front door was shuttered, while the windows were covered with plastic sheets.

Inside, pink and purple lights and safe-s*x posters greeted visitors.

The first level of the three-storey shophouse held eight service rooms partitioned by thin plaster walls. Each room was big enough to fit only a small makeshift bed and a wash basin on the floor. Used condom packets were found in many rooms.

A potty, kitchen and six bedrooms, partitioned by thin plaster walls, were on the second floor. The corridors were wide enough for only one person to move through at a time.

The seven men nabbed lived on the second floor. Each room could accommodate a single bed, a wardrobe and side table.

The living conditions inside the shophouse were spartan, with only basic amenities like ceiling fans available.

All seven were whisked away in a police vehicle.

The police have been using drones during their operations.

On New Year's Day 2023, they deployed drones at the Marina Bay area to keep tabs on crowd size and movement.

The drones had speakers to broadcast sirens and public safety messages, including instructions on what to do in an emergency.

Drones will also be used to deal with terror situations.

On the anti-vice raid, DSP Koh said: "We will continue to conduct such enforcement operations and those engaging in unlawful activities will face stern actions in accordance with the law."