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Be Careful of What You Import Don't Run Afoul of the Law
In the last three months (Apr to Jun 2003), ICA's Air Cargo Command detected 101 cases of contraband or illegal goods being imported into Singapore. Within a span of one and a half months, between 16 May 2003 and 30 Jun 2003, Air Cargo Command, which includes Parcel Post Section has detected five cases of unauthorised importation of offensive weapons and two cases of unauthorised importation of obscene items. All the cases detected were referred to Police for further investigations.
Violation of Registration of Import & Export Regulations (Cap 272A)
Case 1
2 On 16 May 2003 at about 1130 hours, ICA officers found a parcel suspected to contain parts of an air gun when it was screened through the x-ray machine at the Parcel Post Section. The parcel, which was falsely declared as toy parts was addressed to a 31 year-old male Singaporean.
Case 2
3 On 18 Jun 2003 at about 1029 hours, a 33 year-old male Singaporean produced a consignment declared as "unbranded lighters" for clearance at the Changi Airfreight Centre (CAC) at the Air Cargo Command. An alert ICA officer on duty found the consignment suspicious and decided to place it under x-ray machine for further screening and images of items shaped like pistols and revolvers came up on the screen. When the consignment was opened for further examination, 141 pieces of assorted brands of lighters in the shape of pistol and revolver were found.
Case 3
4 On 30 Jun 2003 at about 2015 hours, upon inspection, ICA officers discovered that a consignment declared as "Jackets and Blazers woven of other textile materials for men and boys" contained three pieces of personal body armor.
5 Under Registration of Import & Export Regulations (Cap 272A), the offender is liable to a fine up to $100,000/- or 3 times the value of the goods, whichever is greater, and/or to a jail term up to 2 years. Repeat offenders are liable to a fine up to $200,000/- or 4 times the value of the goods, whichever is greater, and/or to a jail term up to 3 years.
Violation of Undesirable Publication Act (Cap 338)
Case 4
6 On 24 May 2003 at about 1130 hours, two parcels containing 104 pieces of sex toys were seized. The addressee, a 48 year-old male Singaporean, together with the obscene items were referred to police for investigation.
Case 5
7 3,755 pieces of assorted sex articles were uncovered on 26 Jun 2003, when a consignment declared as unbranded - Adult Novelties was opened for inspection by an ICA officer.
8 Under Importing of Obscene Publication of the Undesirable Publication Act Cap 338, anyone found guilty of this offence is liable to a fine up to $10,000/- and/or a jail term of up to 2 years.
Violation of Arms & Explosives Act (Cap 13)
Case 6
9 On 29 May 2003, while performing x-ray screening on incoming parcels at Parcel Post Section, ICA officers found one parcel declared as toys to contain five pieces of gun replicas consisting of two pieces of Commando M733, one piece of G36C H&K New Assault Rifle, once piece of MP5 (A5 & A4 Authomatic Electric Gun Series) and one piece of Thompson M1A1 Submachine Gun. The parcel was addressed to a 24 year-old female Singaporean.
Case 7
10 On 21 Jun 2003 at about 0430 hours, a parcel declared as toy gift was produced at the CAC for clearance. Upon examination, five pieces of assorted brand of pistols and two packets of pellets were uncovered.
11 Under the Arms & Explosives Cap 13, anyone found guilty of this offence is liable to a fine of up to $3,000/- and a jail term of up to 3 years
12 ICA would like to advise the public against importation of unlawful goods into Singapore. "ICA uses x-ray scanner and conducts 100% checks on arriving parcels, members of the public should be mindful of what they import into Singapore. Certain items like handcuffs, air guns, bullet proof vests are controlled items and would require a license before they can be imported into Singapore. If members of public are unsure of the requirements, they may visit ICA website at http://www.ica.gov.sg under 'Travellers Information Guide' for more information to avoid running afoul of the law," said Mr Nam Liang Chia, Commander (Air Cargo).
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
4 Jul 2003
Violation of Registration of Import & Export Regulations (Cap 272A)
Case 1
2 On 16 May 2003 at about 1130 hours, ICA officers found a parcel suspected to contain parts of an air gun when it was screened through the x-ray machine at the Parcel Post Section. The parcel, which was falsely declared as toy parts was addressed to a 31 year-old male Singaporean.
Case 2
3 On 18 Jun 2003 at about 1029 hours, a 33 year-old male Singaporean produced a consignment declared as "unbranded lighters" for clearance at the Changi Airfreight Centre (CAC) at the Air Cargo Command. An alert ICA officer on duty found the consignment suspicious and decided to place it under x-ray machine for further screening and images of items shaped like pistols and revolvers came up on the screen. When the consignment was opened for further examination, 141 pieces of assorted brands of lighters in the shape of pistol and revolver were found.
Case 3
4 On 30 Jun 2003 at about 2015 hours, upon inspection, ICA officers discovered that a consignment declared as "Jackets and Blazers woven of other textile materials for men and boys" contained three pieces of personal body armor.
5 Under Registration of Import & Export Regulations (Cap 272A), the offender is liable to a fine up to $100,000/- or 3 times the value of the goods, whichever is greater, and/or to a jail term up to 2 years. Repeat offenders are liable to a fine up to $200,000/- or 4 times the value of the goods, whichever is greater, and/or to a jail term up to 3 years.
Violation of Undesirable Publication Act (Cap 338)
Case 4
6 On 24 May 2003 at about 1130 hours, two parcels containing 104 pieces of sex toys were seized. The addressee, a 48 year-old male Singaporean, together with the obscene items were referred to police for investigation.
Case 5
7 3,755 pieces of assorted sex articles were uncovered on 26 Jun 2003, when a consignment declared as unbranded - Adult Novelties was opened for inspection by an ICA officer.
8 Under Importing of Obscene Publication of the Undesirable Publication Act Cap 338, anyone found guilty of this offence is liable to a fine up to $10,000/- and/or a jail term of up to 2 years.
Violation of Arms & Explosives Act (Cap 13)
Case 6
9 On 29 May 2003, while performing x-ray screening on incoming parcels at Parcel Post Section, ICA officers found one parcel declared as toys to contain five pieces of gun replicas consisting of two pieces of Commando M733, one piece of G36C H&K New Assault Rifle, once piece of MP5 (A5 & A4 Authomatic Electric Gun Series) and one piece of Thompson M1A1 Submachine Gun. The parcel was addressed to a 24 year-old female Singaporean.
Case 7
10 On 21 Jun 2003 at about 0430 hours, a parcel declared as toy gift was produced at the CAC for clearance. Upon examination, five pieces of assorted brand of pistols and two packets of pellets were uncovered.
11 Under the Arms & Explosives Cap 13, anyone found guilty of this offence is liable to a fine of up to $3,000/- and a jail term of up to 3 years
12 ICA would like to advise the public against importation of unlawful goods into Singapore. "ICA uses x-ray scanner and conducts 100% checks on arriving parcels, members of the public should be mindful of what they import into Singapore. Certain items like handcuffs, air guns, bullet proof vests are controlled items and would require a license before they can be imported into Singapore. If members of public are unsure of the requirements, they may visit ICA website at http://www.ica.gov.sg under 'Travellers Information Guide' for more information to avoid running afoul of the law," said Mr Nam Liang Chia, Commander (Air Cargo).
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
4 Jul 2003