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ICA Officers Foiled Attempt to Smuggle Four Persons out of Singapore Illegally
Based on the information received, on 30 Jun 2003 at the Departure Car Zone of Woodlands Checkpoint, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers intercepted a Malaysian registered car which was involved in the conveyance of immigration offenders out of Singapore illegally.
2 At about 2225 hours, a silver Proton Waja, driven by a 23 year-old male Malaysian was signalled to stop for checks. When the car boot was opened, ICA officers found four persons, consisting of three males and one female, huddled inside. The driver and the four persons were immediately placed under arrest. The car was also seized.
3 Preliminary investigations revealed that of the four immigration offenders, three are from Thailand and one is from Myanmar. They are aged between 18 and 37 years old. Two of the Thai nationals are believed to have entered Singapore illegally while the other Thai national and Myanmar national are overstayers. They claimed to have paid between S$500/- and S$900/- for arrangements to depart Singapore illegally.
4 Investigation also revealed that the 23 year-old Malaysian driver was promised a sum of RM 100/- for every immigration offender conveyed out of Singapore. The human trafficker and the four immigration offenders will be charged in court.
5 "We will not let down in our efforts to deter attempts to smuggle immigration offenders into or out of Singapore. ICA will continue to leverage on our tough enforcement actions to nab those who are involved in the activity. Those caught will be severely dealt with." said Mr Wong Kong Wa, Commander (Field Operations).
6 Immigration & Checkpoints Authority takes a serious view of attempts by foreigners to enter or depart from Singapore illegally. Security checks on passengers and vehicles at all checkpoints have been stepped up. Under the Immigration Act (Cap 133), the trafficker faces a mandatory jail term of up to 5 years plus a minimum of 3 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.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
1 Jul 2003
2 At about 2225 hours, a silver Proton Waja, driven by a 23 year-old male Malaysian was signalled to stop for checks. When the car boot was opened, ICA officers found four persons, consisting of three males and one female, huddled inside. The driver and the four persons were immediately placed under arrest. The car was also seized.
3 Preliminary investigations revealed that of the four immigration offenders, three are from Thailand and one is from Myanmar. They are aged between 18 and 37 years old. Two of the Thai nationals are believed to have entered Singapore illegally while the other Thai national and Myanmar national are overstayers. They claimed to have paid between S$500/- and S$900/- for arrangements to depart Singapore illegally.
4 Investigation also revealed that the 23 year-old Malaysian driver was promised a sum of RM 100/- for every immigration offender conveyed out of Singapore. The human trafficker and the four immigration offenders will be charged in court.
5 "We will not let down in our efforts to deter attempts to smuggle immigration offenders into or out of Singapore. ICA will continue to leverage on our tough enforcement actions to nab those who are involved in the activity. Those caught will be severely dealt with." said Mr Wong Kong Wa, Commander (Field Operations).
6 Immigration & Checkpoints Authority takes a serious view of attempts by foreigners to enter or depart from Singapore illegally. Security checks on passengers and vehicles at all checkpoints have been stepped up. Under the Immigration Act (Cap 133), the trafficker faces a mandatory jail term of up to 5 years plus a minimum of 3 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.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
1 Jul 2003