Evidence of the close relationship the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has forged with the Police manifested itself during a joint operation conducted in Geylang. On 19 Nov 2003 at about 1555 hours, officers from ICA and Police conducted an operation to trail a male Indonesian believed to be providing forged immigration stamps to immigration offenders.

2 The male Indonesian was brought to a house in Geylang where he had just visited before his arrest. A thorough search of the premises by our ICA officers uncovered the following items wrapped in a shoe bag located at the corner of a room:

a) 5 forged Singapore Arrival Immigration stamps,
b) 4 forged Singapore Departure Immigration stamps,
c) 2 Malaysian Arrival Immigration stamps,
d) 2 Malaysian Departure Immigration stamps,
e) 2 Indonesian Arrival Immigration stamps,
f) 2 Indonesian Departure Immigration stamps,
g) 2 stamp holders, and
h) 4 ink pads

3 Preliminary investigation revealed that the 41 year-old Indonesian was involved in the provision of forged endorsements to Indonesian immigration offenders. He was referred to the Police for criminal investigation into the forgery of Government documents. It is believed that he had helped a 44 year-old female Indonesian with forged immigration endorsements in her passport, at the abetment of another Indonesian female, aged 43. The two female Indonesians were arrested too.

4 The Singapore authorities take a serious view of attempts to forge immigration cards and other related documents. For forgery of passes or in possession of forged passes, the offender faces an imprisonment for a term of up to 7 years and shall also be liable to a fine.


END OF NEWS RELEASE

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
20 Nov 03