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Man Caught Smuggling Endangered Animals At Woodlands Checkpoint
On 15 April 2003 at about 1800 hours, a Malaysian registered taxi was stopped for checks at the Arrival Car Lane of Woodlands Checkpoint. During the check, a bag containing 15 green iguanas (Iguana iguana) and one plastic container with three sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps) were found hidden underneath the front passenger seat. A further search revealed three green tree pythons (Chondropython viridis) hidden in the pocket trousers of one of the three male passengers in the taxi. 12 packages of animal foodstuffs and vitamin pills were also found in his bag.
2 The illegally smuggled animals and foodstuff were handed over to the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) for investigation. The 23 year-old male Singaporean admitted ownership of the animals. It is believed that the wildlife was intended for sale to exotic pet collectors. The offender will be prosecuted for the illegal import under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act and the Wild Animals and Birds Act. Currently, the animals are under the care of the Singapore Zoological Gardens.
3 The green tree python and green iguana require CITES permit for import under the Endangered Species (Import & Export) Act. Offenders in violation of this Act can be fined up to $5,000 ($10,000 for repeat offences) and/or face a jail term of up to one year. The sugar glider requires an Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) permit under the Wild Animals and Birds Act. Under this Act, anyone who is caught in possession of wild animals without a licence will be liable to be prosecuted and fined up to $1,000 per animal.
4 Security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints have been stepped up to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband. ICA would like to advise the public against smuggling unlawful goods illegally into Singapore. "We would not let anything illegal slip through our checkpoints, efforts would not be spared in ensuring that the movement of people, goods and conveyances through our checkpoint is legitimate and lawful." said Mr Tan Hock Guan, Commander (Woodlands Command).
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
16 Apr 2003
2 The illegally smuggled animals and foodstuff were handed over to the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) for investigation. The 23 year-old male Singaporean admitted ownership of the animals. It is believed that the wildlife was intended for sale to exotic pet collectors. The offender will be prosecuted for the illegal import under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act and the Wild Animals and Birds Act. Currently, the animals are under the care of the Singapore Zoological Gardens.
3 The green tree python and green iguana require CITES permit for import under the Endangered Species (Import & Export) Act. Offenders in violation of this Act can be fined up to $5,000 ($10,000 for repeat offences) and/or face a jail term of up to one year. The sugar glider requires an Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) permit under the Wild Animals and Birds Act. Under this Act, anyone who is caught in possession of wild animals without a licence will be liable to be prosecuted and fined up to $1,000 per animal.
4 Security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints have been stepped up to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband. ICA would like to advise the public against smuggling unlawful goods illegally into Singapore. "We would not let anything illegal slip through our checkpoints, efforts would not be spared in ensuring that the movement of people, goods and conveyances through our checkpoint is legitimate and lawful." said Mr Tan Hock Guan, Commander (Woodlands Command).
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
16 Apr 2003