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Smugglers of Contrabands Beware! ICA is on the Lookout for You!
Over a span of 4 days, from 18 May to 21 May 2003, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers have detected four cases of unauthorized possession and importation of offensive weapons and a case of wrongful declaration of consignment.
Detection of unauthorized/offensive weapons over a span of 4 days
2 On 18 May 2003 at about 2355 hours, ICA officers stopped a Singapore registered car for 100% checks at the Arrival Car Zone in Tuas Checkpoint. Upon examination, replicas of one revolver, one pistol and 296 pallets were found in the traveling bag of the male driver.
3 The 26 year-old male driver who is a Singapore Citizen was detained and referred to the Police for further investigation.
4 On the following day (ie.19 May 2003) at 1200 hours, while performing 100% checks on passengers arriving at the Clifford Pier, Police and ICA officers detected a male Indian national to be in possession of an air gun. On the same day at 1800 hours, one parang (58.5 cm long), three daggers (ranging from 21 cam to 36.5 cm) and one "nanchuku" (a weapon with two sticks linked by a chain) were found in the bag of another male Dutch national at the arrival Hall of Singapore Cruise Centre.
5 On 21 May 2003 at about 1400 hours, an air gun was found in the luggage of a male Philippines national at the Clifford Pier.
6 All the travellers were placed under arrest and referred to the Police for investigation.
7 On the two cases detected at the Clifford Pier, after Police investigation arrangements were made for the Indian and Philippines nationals to declare the items to ICA before they leave Singapore. As for the Dutch national detected at Singapore Cruise Centre, he was issued with a warning by the Police after investigation.
8 Under the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act (Cap 65), anyone convicted to be in possession of offensive weapons can be jailed up to five years (eight years for repeat offences) plus a minimum of 6 strokes of the cane.
Detection of animal hides wrongly declared as clothing accessories of leather
9 On 20 May 2003 at about 1730 hours, a 47 year-old Singaporean produced a consignment declared as "other clothing accessories of leather" for clearance at the Changi Airfreight Centre Checkpoint.
10 During the check, the ICA officer found 24 pieces of assorted fur and skin of various species of animals in a paper carton. The case was referred to the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) for further investigation.
11 Investigation revealed that the skins were from domesticated animals, namely cow, dogs and goats. The company should have applied for a customs clearance permit declaring the item as "finished products of domesticated animal skins". However, AVA had decided not to take action against the company. The estimated value of the skin is about S$7,000/-.
12 ICA would like to advise the public against importation of unlawful goods into Singapore. Security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints have been stepped up. Commissioner ICA Mr Lock Wai Han said that "ICA is committed to prevent the entry of undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband goods at this time of heightened global alert against terrorism."
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
24 May 2003
Detection of unauthorized/offensive weapons over a span of 4 days
2 On 18 May 2003 at about 2355 hours, ICA officers stopped a Singapore registered car for 100% checks at the Arrival Car Zone in Tuas Checkpoint. Upon examination, replicas of one revolver, one pistol and 296 pallets were found in the traveling bag of the male driver.
3 The 26 year-old male driver who is a Singapore Citizen was detained and referred to the Police for further investigation.
4 On the following day (ie.19 May 2003) at 1200 hours, while performing 100% checks on passengers arriving at the Clifford Pier, Police and ICA officers detected a male Indian national to be in possession of an air gun. On the same day at 1800 hours, one parang (58.5 cm long), three daggers (ranging from 21 cam to 36.5 cm) and one "nanchuku" (a weapon with two sticks linked by a chain) were found in the bag of another male Dutch national at the arrival Hall of Singapore Cruise Centre.
5 On 21 May 2003 at about 1400 hours, an air gun was found in the luggage of a male Philippines national at the Clifford Pier.
6 All the travellers were placed under arrest and referred to the Police for investigation.
7 On the two cases detected at the Clifford Pier, after Police investigation arrangements were made for the Indian and Philippines nationals to declare the items to ICA before they leave Singapore. As for the Dutch national detected at Singapore Cruise Centre, he was issued with a warning by the Police after investigation.
8 Under the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act (Cap 65), anyone convicted to be in possession of offensive weapons can be jailed up to five years (eight years for repeat offences) plus a minimum of 6 strokes of the cane.
Detection of animal hides wrongly declared as clothing accessories of leather
9 On 20 May 2003 at about 1730 hours, a 47 year-old Singaporean produced a consignment declared as "other clothing accessories of leather" for clearance at the Changi Airfreight Centre Checkpoint.
10 During the check, the ICA officer found 24 pieces of assorted fur and skin of various species of animals in a paper carton. The case was referred to the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) for further investigation.
11 Investigation revealed that the skins were from domesticated animals, namely cow, dogs and goats. The company should have applied for a customs clearance permit declaring the item as "finished products of domesticated animal skins". However, AVA had decided not to take action against the company. The estimated value of the skin is about S$7,000/-.
12 ICA would like to advise the public against importation of unlawful goods into Singapore. Security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints have been stepped up. Commissioner ICA Mr Lock Wai Han said that "ICA is committed to prevent the entry of undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband goods at this time of heightened global alert against terrorism."
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
24 May 2003