It is not uncommon for the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the land checkpoints to come into contact with all types of illicit items such as contraband cigarettes and controlled drugs everyday as they conduct checks on travellers and conveyances.  Immigration offenders crouching in car boots are also a common sight. Perhaps, old tricks really die hard.

 

2.         On 28 February 2013 at about 1.15pm, ICA officers at the Woodlands Checkpoint directed a departing Malaysia-registered saloon car for a thorough check. Both the driver and his co-driver were spotted behaving nervously as the officers examined the car.  It did not take the officers long before they opened the car boot and “faced off” with a woman, sweating profusely in her crouched position.

 

Modified rear seat of the innocuous-looking car

 

   

 Immigration offender inside the car boot

 

 

3.         The two Malaysian drivers, aged 21 and 22, together with the woman who claimed to be 34 years old and an Indian 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.  
 

4.         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.

 

5.         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

1 MARCH 2013