Within a period spanning 45 minutes, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at Ports Command uncovered a total of 46 boxes of calcareous rocks that were undeclared. The calcareous rocks originate from hard corals and all hard corals are listed as controlled items under the Convention on International trade in Endangered Species in Wild fauna and Flora (CITES).

2 On 18 Feb 2004 at 1215 hours, ICA officers were conducting checks on vehicles conveying cargoes through Pasir Panjang Gate 3 when they uncovered 12 boxes of calcareous rocks that originated from hard corals amongst other marine products in a lorry. Half an hour later, another lorry was found to be carrying 19 boxes of calcareous rocks. ICA officers completed a hat-trick of sorts when they found another 15 boxes of the calcareous rocks in a third lorry at 1245 hours. The three lorry-loads of marine products were brought in by three different importers.

3 The 46 boxes of calcareous rocks have been handed over to the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) for further investigation.

4 Anyone who is convicted of illegal import of endangered species under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act can be fined of up to $5,000 ($10,000 for repeat offences) and/or jail of up to one year.

5 Stepped-up security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints will continue to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband. ICA would like to advise the public against smuggling unlawful goods illegally into Singapore.


END OF NEWS RELEASE


Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
19 Feb 2004