On 2 June 2017 at about 3.55pm, officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) directed an arriving Singapore-registered car, driven by a 51-year-old Singaporean man for further checks at the Woodlands Checkpoint. He was accompanied by a 32-year-old Singaporean woman.

 

2        During inspection, an ICA officer found five live leopard geckos hidden inside two pillows at the rear passenger seat of the car. The case has been referred to the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA). Investigations are ongoing.

 

3        The keeping of wild animals such as exotic amphibians, snakes and lizards are not allowed in Singapore. Wild animals are not suitable pets as some may transmit zoonotic diseases to humans and can be a public safety risk if mishandled, or if they escape into our dense urban environment. In addition, wild animals that are non-native to Singapore may also be a threat to our bio-diversity if released into the environment. Demand for such animals would fuel illegal wildlife trade, which severely impacts the wild populations of numerous species. The importation of animals or live birds without an AVA permit is illegal and carries a maximum penalty of $10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year. AVA will continue to ensure that regulatory measures against illegal import, possession of live animals and wildlife are in place and enforced.

4        Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore's security. The security checks are critical to our nation’s security. The ICA 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.

5        The ICA and AVA would like to remind travellers against bringing live animals, birds and insects into Singapore without a proper permit.  The public can refer to AVA’s website or download AVA’s mobile app, SG TravelKaki (available free-of-charge from iTunes and the Google Play store), for more information on bringing back animals from overseas travels.

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
AGRI-FOOD & VETERINARY AUTHORITY
6 JUNE 2017


Five live geckos were uncovered from the car. (Photo: ICA)


Pillows used to conceal the five live geckos at the car’s rear passenger seat. (Photo: ICA)


Live geckos found inside the pillow. (Photo: ICA)