Barely a day ago, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers caught a PRC woman attempting to depart Singapore illegally by hiding in a tiny compartment between the rear car seat and the car boot at Woodlands Checkpoint. Yesterday, another immigration offender was caught at the same Checkpoint for attempting the same stunt, using a bus.

2.    On 3 October 2012 at about 9.15pm, ICA officers directed a departing Malaysian-registered bus for checks at the Woodlands Checkpoint. In the course of physical inspection, our vigilant officers found a man hiding in the rear compartment of the bus.


Game over!

3.    Both the 52-year-old male Malaysian driver and the 33-year-old Bangladeshi 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. 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.

4.    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
4 OCTOBER 2012