It does not pay to toy around with the law; especially with Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers keeping a tight watch at the checkpoints. 

 

2.         On 6 March 2013 at about 2.25pm, ICA officers at the Woodlands Checkpoint directed an arriving Singapore-registered saloon car for a thorough check. The lone Singaporean male driver was asked to step out of the car as our officers examined his vehicle.  The car boot was loaded with common items such as tricycle, shopping bags and toys. 

 

   

 

A common sight for car owners?

 

 
3.         During their checks, our meticulous officers spotted two black trash bags laid adjacent to each other in the boot and suspected something could be hidden beneath them.  True to their suspicion, they found a woman crouched underneath the trash bags.

 

The immigration offender hidden under the trash bags

 

 

4.         The 38-year-old driver and the 52-year-old Chinese national were immediately placed under arrest.  They are currently under investigation for the offences.  The vehicle used in the commission of the offences has been detained and is liable for forfeiture. 

 

5.         The ICA takes a serious view of attempts to overstay, enter or depart Singapore illegally. Under the Immigration Act (Cap 133), the penalties for overstaying or illegal entry are a jail term of up to six months plus a minimum of three strokes of the cane, while the penalties for illegal departure is a fine of up to $2,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both.

  

6.         Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore's security. The enhanced security checks are critical to our nation’s security.  We have tightened our 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

7 MARCH 2013