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ICA Officers Foiled Attempt to Smuggle Uncensored and Obscene Discs in a Secret Compartment of a Van
After weeks of investigation, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers laid an ambush at the Arrival Bus Bay of Tuas Checkpoint on 22 Jul 2003 for a Malaysian registered van suspected to be involved in smuggling activities.
2 At about 1950 hours, the van was spotted and signalled to stop for checks. During the initial check, ICA officers did not find anything incriminating in the van. However, the alert ICA officers suspected that there might be a specially constructed compartment under the floorboard of the van and proceeded to drill a hole on the floorboard. When a fiberscope (a miniature camera-like equipment) was inserted into the hole, jackets of VCDs could be seen. As the van driver, a 36 year-old male Malaysian, refused to cooperate by opening the secret compartment, ICA officers had to use a crow bar to forcibly open two rows of back seats and remove the floor carpet before the opening of the compartment can be seen.
3 Unlike previous detection of secret compartments which were usually secured using bolts and nuts, ICA officers found two magnets at the opening of the secret compartment. The magnets were used to firmly secure the lid of the secret compartment. The secret compartment were finally pried open at about 2330 hours after some efforts by three ICA officers.
4 ICA officers found several paper carton boxes containing 4,720 pieces of uncensored VCDs, 971 pieces of VCDs suspected to be obscene, 137 pieces of uncensored DVDs and 189 audio CDs inside the compartment. The driver was immediately placed under arrest and the vehicle seized.
5 Preliminary investigation revealed that the driver was promised RM$300/- to drive the van into Singapore. The value of the 6,017 pieces of assorted obscene and uncensored VCDS, DVDs and CDs are estimated at S$16,064/- with a Good and Service Tax amounting to S$642.56/-. The case has been referred to Singapore Police Force for further investigation.
6 Under Films Act (Cap 107), persons found guilty of importing obscene films are liable to a fine not less than $1,000/- for each film imported (but not exceeding aggregate of $40,000/-), and/or to a jail term up to 12 months. Repeat offenders are liable to a fine not less than $2,000/- for each film imported (but not exceeding aggregate of $100,000/-), and/or to a jail term up to 2 years.
7 "This recent detection shows that piracy syndicates are resorting to 'ingenious' smuggling methods to escape detection at the checkpoints. The secret compartment was secured using magnets and was cleverly concealed under the floorboard covered by rubber mat with no obvious signs of tampering. The discovery of the obscene materials were due to the sheer hard work of our officers," said Mr Tan Poh Kee, Commander of Tuas Command.
8 ICA has tightened security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband. We would like to warn the public against smuggling unlawful goods illegally into Singapore.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
23 Jul 2003
2 At about 1950 hours, the van was spotted and signalled to stop for checks. During the initial check, ICA officers did not find anything incriminating in the van. However, the alert ICA officers suspected that there might be a specially constructed compartment under the floorboard of the van and proceeded to drill a hole on the floorboard. When a fiberscope (a miniature camera-like equipment) was inserted into the hole, jackets of VCDs could be seen. As the van driver, a 36 year-old male Malaysian, refused to cooperate by opening the secret compartment, ICA officers had to use a crow bar to forcibly open two rows of back seats and remove the floor carpet before the opening of the compartment can be seen.
3 Unlike previous detection of secret compartments which were usually secured using bolts and nuts, ICA officers found two magnets at the opening of the secret compartment. The magnets were used to firmly secure the lid of the secret compartment. The secret compartment were finally pried open at about 2330 hours after some efforts by three ICA officers.
4 ICA officers found several paper carton boxes containing 4,720 pieces of uncensored VCDs, 971 pieces of VCDs suspected to be obscene, 137 pieces of uncensored DVDs and 189 audio CDs inside the compartment. The driver was immediately placed under arrest and the vehicle seized.
5 Preliminary investigation revealed that the driver was promised RM$300/- to drive the van into Singapore. The value of the 6,017 pieces of assorted obscene and uncensored VCDS, DVDs and CDs are estimated at S$16,064/- with a Good and Service Tax amounting to S$642.56/-. The case has been referred to Singapore Police Force for further investigation.
6 Under Films Act (Cap 107), persons found guilty of importing obscene films are liable to a fine not less than $1,000/- for each film imported (but not exceeding aggregate of $40,000/-), and/or to a jail term up to 12 months. Repeat offenders are liable to a fine not less than $2,000/- for each film imported (but not exceeding aggregate of $100,000/-), and/or to a jail term up to 2 years.
7 "This recent detection shows that piracy syndicates are resorting to 'ingenious' smuggling methods to escape detection at the checkpoints. The secret compartment was secured using magnets and was cleverly concealed under the floorboard covered by rubber mat with no obvious signs of tampering. The discovery of the obscene materials were due to the sheer hard work of our officers," said Mr Tan Poh Kee, Commander of Tuas Command.
8 ICA has tightened security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband. We would like to warn the public against smuggling unlawful goods illegally into Singapore.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
23 Jul 2003