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Illegal Import Of Spotted Doves And Sugar Gliders At Tuas Checkpoint
On 25 August 2015, at about 10.40pm, a Singapore-registered car driven by a 20-year-old male Singaporean was referred for further checks upon arrival at the Tuas Checkpoint. The driver was accompanied by a 44-year-old male Singaporean.
2 During the course of inspection, checkpoint officers uncovered two bird cages each containing a live spotted dove, hidden in the gap between the rear bumper and the car boot. In addition, a small black pouch containing three live sugar gliders were found concealed behind the glove compartment.
The two caged spotted doves hidden in the rear bumper
The three sugar gliders hidden in a pouch placed behind glove compartment
3 The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) was immediately alerted. The two Singaporean men are being investigated by AVA for the illegal import of animals and the animals were also seized by the authority.
4 The importation of any animals or live birds without an AVA permit is an offence. Offenders can be charged in court and fined a maximum of $10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year. The public can refer to AVA’s website or the SG TravelKaki mobile app (available on Android and iOS) for more information on bringing back animals from overseas travels.
5 Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore's security. The security checks are critical to our nation’s security. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority will continue to conduct security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contrabands.
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
27 August 2015
2 During the course of inspection, checkpoint officers uncovered two bird cages each containing a live spotted dove, hidden in the gap between the rear bumper and the car boot. In addition, a small black pouch containing three live sugar gliders were found concealed behind the glove compartment.
The two caged spotted doves hidden in the rear bumper
The three sugar gliders hidden in a pouch placed behind glove compartment
3 The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) was immediately alerted. The two Singaporean men are being investigated by AVA for the illegal import of animals and the animals were also seized by the authority.
4 The importation of any animals or live birds without an AVA permit is an offence. Offenders can be charged in court and fined a maximum of $10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year. The public can refer to AVA’s website or the SG TravelKaki mobile app (available on Android and iOS) for more information on bringing back animals from overseas travels.
5 Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore's security. The security checks are critical to our nation’s security. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority will continue to conduct security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contrabands.
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
27 August 2015