Joint Operation Against Illegal Sales of VCDS

Dated: 12 March 2001

On 10 Mar 2001, between 3 pm and 9 pm, officers from Jurong Police Division and the Films and Publications Department (FPD) conducted a successful joint operation against the illegal sales of pornographic and uncensored VCDs. The operation led to the arrest of a total of 10 male (aged between 15 years old and 46 years old) and 1 female subjects and a total of 1570 VCDs were seized. The male subjects arrested included one Indonesian.

The locations raided include the makeshift stalls set up at various locations – linkway between Boon Lay MRT Station and Jurong Point, Block 548 (Vista Point), Block 768 as well as Block 888 Woodlands Plaza) of Woodlands housing estate, on overhead bridge outside Admiralty MRT Station, Yew Tee MRT Station as well as at Block 259 Bngkit Road.

The raid was conducted based on intelligence gathered and information received about these illegal activities at the aforesaid locations.

Commander Jurong Police Division, Superintendent of Police, Vendesan Somo would like to thank members of public who have submitted information to the Police on the illegal sales activities and officers from Jurong Police Division and Films and Publications Department for their efforts in making the raid a successful one.

Police and FPD will continue to take firm enforcement action against anyone involved in the sales of obscene and uncensored VCDs. Under the Films Act, enhanced penalties are imposed for the distribution of obscene and uncensored VCDs. Any person found guilty of distributing obscene VCDs could be fined up to $80,000 and/or given a jail term not exceeding two years. Those caught distributing uncensored VCDs could face a maximum fine of $40,000 and/or a jail term of up to six months. The penalties of operating an unlicensed VCD business are a fine of up to $40,000 and/or a jail term of up to 12 months.

The penalties for possessing obscene VCDs are a fine of $500 per piece up to a maximum of $40,000 and/or a jail term of up to six months. Those who possess uncensored VCDs can be fined a minimum of $100 per piece up to a maximum of $20,000.

SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
FILMS AND PUBLICATIONS DEPARTMENT
12 Mar 2001