JOHOR BARU: Johor police arrested 189 suspects including 161 foreign women believed to be prostitutes in a special three-day operation against illicit activities at six entertainment centres in four police jurisdictions.
The police party stormed into the six premises in Johor Baru (South), Johor Baru (North), Iskandar Puteri and Seri Alam between Dec 6 and 8.
Johor police chief Datuk M.Kumar said 189 individuals, aged between 18 and 63, were arrested during the operations, including 11 local men and a woman, 16 foreign men, and 161 foreign women.
The suspects were allegedly involved in prostitution and drug abuse, while some foreigners had sought employment without valid permits.
Preliminary urine tests conducted revealed that 16 local men and 12 foreign women tested positive for narcotics.
Police confiscated RM2,510, mobile phones, receipts, and entertainment equipment namely microphones, speakers, and amplifiers.
In a separate raid targeting suspected illegal gambling activities, police arrested 14 individuals, including seven foreigners which led to the seizure of RM83,100 and gambling-related equipment.
Kumar said the suspects arrested were investigated for multiple offences, including operating their business without a valid entertainment licence and violating license conditions, misuse of social visit visas and overstaying, gambling in open premises, and also for offences under the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Caption: Police cracked down on illicit prostitution, drugs and gambling operations in its three-day Ops Noda Khas operation. 189 individuals were arrested including 161 foreigners believed to be prostitutes. Courtesy of Johor police.