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Uncensored and Obscene Materials Found in a Secret Compartment of a Van
On 15 Jun 2003 at about 2020 hours, a Malaysian registered van driven by a 33 year-old Malaysian Indian was stopped for 100% checks at Arrival Bus concourse of Woodlands Checkpoint. During the initial check, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers did not find anything incriminating in the van. However, the alert ICA officers suspected that the rear tyre compartment of the van has been modified and proceeded to check on the floorboard of the van.
2 The ICA officers unscrewed a portion of the floorboard of the van and found some cardboard beneath the gap. Further attempts were made to lift up the floorboard and eventually the officers managed to unscrew the modified fuel tank before discovering two latches leading to a secret compartment. 18 packages were found inside the secret compartment and contained a total of 8,041 assorted pieces of uncensored and obscene VCDs, DVDs and CDs. The ICA officers immediately placed the driver under arrest and seized the vehicle.
3 The estimated market value of the VCD and DVD is $18,984/- and the CD is valued at $1,700/-. The total Goods and Service Tax involved is about $827.36/-. The case has been referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation. If found guilty, the offender could be fined up to a maximum of 20 times the amount of custom duties and GST involved.
4 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.
5 ICA has tightened our 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 advise the public against smuggling unlawful goods illegally into Singapore.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
16 Jun 2003
2 The ICA officers unscrewed a portion of the floorboard of the van and found some cardboard beneath the gap. Further attempts were made to lift up the floorboard and eventually the officers managed to unscrew the modified fuel tank before discovering two latches leading to a secret compartment. 18 packages were found inside the secret compartment and contained a total of 8,041 assorted pieces of uncensored and obscene VCDs, DVDs and CDs. The ICA officers immediately placed the driver under arrest and seized the vehicle.
3 The estimated market value of the VCD and DVD is $18,984/- and the CD is valued at $1,700/-. The total Goods and Service Tax involved is about $827.36/-. The case has been referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation. If found guilty, the offender could be fined up to a maximum of 20 times the amount of custom duties and GST involved.
4 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.
5 ICA has tightened our 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 advise the public against smuggling unlawful goods illegally into Singapore.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
16 Jun 2003