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I CHECK ALL: Enhanced checks at land checkpoints yield effective results
In view of the current global situation, enforcement agencies at all entry and exit points have been stepping up security inspections of all persons, goods and vehicles entering or leaving Singapore. As our country's first line of defence against terrorist threats, the checkpoints have a vital role to play in ensuring the security and safety of Singapore. Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has tightened our security checks on passengers and vehicles at the land checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband.
Stepped up checks at land checkpoints
2 Enhanced enforcement actions and security checks at the various checkpoints have effectively deterred the smuggling of illegal immigrants in and out of Singapore. Since April, a total of 254 illegal immigrants have been arrested at our various checkpoints. Of this, about 20% or 50 were arrested at the land checkpoints.
3 The number of vehicles seized for smuggling activities has also fallen as a result of the enhanced checks at our checkpoints. From 56 vehicles seized in 2001, it has since dropped to 43 last year. In addition, 14 vehicles have been seized so far.
4 From April to November 2003, ICA has detected more than 6,800 cases of contraband or illegal goods being imported into Singapore. The cases detected include the unauthorised importation of offensive weapons, cigarettes and obscene items such as obscene VCDs, assorted sex toys and sex articles. Meat products as well as endangered species in wild fauna and flora like star tortoises, green tree python and corals have also been found. ICA even found a 20-foot container containing 23,500 bottles of vodka falsely declared as fruit juice at the Tanjong Pagar Scanning Station.
5 Even small and difficult to detect items like forged employment passes hidden in red packets and illegal drugs like Ecstasy and Ice have been detected by our vigilant officers at the land checkpoints.
6 ICA takes a serious view of attempts by foreigners to enter or depart from Singapore illegally. Under the Immigration Act (Cap 133), the smuggler faces a mandatory jail term of up to five years plus a minimum of three strokes of the cane. The penalties for overstaying or illegal entry are a jail term of up to six months plus a minimum of three strokes of the cane.
7 ICA would also like to warn the public against smuggling unlawful goods illegally into Singapore or risk running afoul of the law.
Technology capabilities at land checkpoints
8 Apart from the 100% primary immigration checks on travellers passing through the land checkpoints, ICA also leverages on technology in its enforcement checks, including the Mobile X-ray machine (MOBIX) and fibre scopes to sieve out contraband and illegal immigrants hidden in vehicles. Walk-through metal detectors are also installed to screen passengers arriving by bus or on foot.
9 The intensified checks at the land checkpoints and the enhanced technology capabilities have yielded positive results. 'We cannot afford to let our guards down, as any security lapses will have serious consequences for Singapore. All our officers have and will remain vigilant when conducting security checks on all passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent any illegal activities' said Mr Lock Wai Han, Commissioner, ICA.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
30 Dec 2003
Stepped up checks at land checkpoints
2 Enhanced enforcement actions and security checks at the various checkpoints have effectively deterred the smuggling of illegal immigrants in and out of Singapore. Since April, a total of 254 illegal immigrants have been arrested at our various checkpoints. Of this, about 20% or 50 were arrested at the land checkpoints.
3 The number of vehicles seized for smuggling activities has also fallen as a result of the enhanced checks at our checkpoints. From 56 vehicles seized in 2001, it has since dropped to 43 last year. In addition, 14 vehicles have been seized so far.
4 From April to November 2003, ICA has detected more than 6,800 cases of contraband or illegal goods being imported into Singapore. The cases detected include the unauthorised importation of offensive weapons, cigarettes and obscene items such as obscene VCDs, assorted sex toys and sex articles. Meat products as well as endangered species in wild fauna and flora like star tortoises, green tree python and corals have also been found. ICA even found a 20-foot container containing 23,500 bottles of vodka falsely declared as fruit juice at the Tanjong Pagar Scanning Station.
5 Even small and difficult to detect items like forged employment passes hidden in red packets and illegal drugs like Ecstasy and Ice have been detected by our vigilant officers at the land checkpoints.
6 ICA takes a serious view of attempts by foreigners to enter or depart from Singapore illegally. Under the Immigration Act (Cap 133), the smuggler faces a mandatory jail term of up to five years plus a minimum of three strokes of the cane. The penalties for overstaying or illegal entry are a jail term of up to six months plus a minimum of three strokes of the cane.
7 ICA would also like to warn the public against smuggling unlawful goods illegally into Singapore or risk running afoul of the law.
Technology capabilities at land checkpoints
8 Apart from the 100% primary immigration checks on travellers passing through the land checkpoints, ICA also leverages on technology in its enforcement checks, including the Mobile X-ray machine (MOBIX) and fibre scopes to sieve out contraband and illegal immigrants hidden in vehicles. Walk-through metal detectors are also installed to screen passengers arriving by bus or on foot.
9 The intensified checks at the land checkpoints and the enhanced technology capabilities have yielded positive results. 'We cannot afford to let our guards down, as any security lapses will have serious consequences for Singapore. All our officers have and will remain vigilant when conducting security checks on all passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent any illegal activities' said Mr Lock Wai Han, Commissioner, ICA.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
30 Dec 2003