JOHOR BARU: Twelve women from Thailand were among 13 individuals arrested by police during a raid on an entertainment outlet in Taman Mount Austin here last night.
Others arrested was a 19-year-old local man, believed to be the manager of the outlet, apprehended during the six-hour operation dubbed Op Noda.
Johor Baru Selatan police chief Assistant Commissioner Raub Selamat said the operation was carried out by the Criminal Investigation Department and the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department of the Johor Baru Selatan police.
"The women, aged between 22 and 38, are believed to have been working as servers without valid permits.
"Various items were seized as evidence during the operation, including a notebook, three business receipts, one laptop, a 'move light' controller, a microphone, and five light-up wristbands.
"Urine screenings conducted on all the suspects showed negative results for drugs," he said in a statement today.
Raub added that the male suspect has been remanded for three days, from Jan 5 until Jan 7.
"Meanwhile, the women have been remanded for 14 days under the Immigration Act 1959/63 for further investigation.
"The case is also being investigated under Section 55B of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for employing foreign workers without permits, Regulation 39(b) of the Immigration Regulations 1963 for violating visa or pass conditions, and Section 6(2) of the Johor Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Enactment for operating an entertainment outlet without a license.
"The police will continue monitoring and taking strict action against any legal violations, particularly involving the employment of foreign workers without permits and the misuse of unlicensed entertainment outlets," he said.