Back to top
Heated Car Boot – A Value for Money “Sauna”?
Sauna is a popular place for many to relax. When selecting a sauna to go to, many would think of a clean room, accompanied with stunning decoration to help one to relax tight muscles. One could even be prepared to pay more to experience a top class sauna. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the Woodlands Checkpoint were the first to experience a “sauna” room, never seen before.
2 On 15 July 2011, at about 8am, ICA officers directed a departing Malaysia-registered car for checks at the Woodlands Checkpoint. When the lone male driver pulled over, the ICA officers noticed the unusual calm demeanor of the driver. The sharp-eyed officers’ suspicion was aroused and they conducted a meticulous check on the white hatchback car. When the officers opened the car boot compartment, a woman was found crouching in it. The driver and the ‘undeclared’ passenger were immediately placed under arrest.
A multi-purpose car boot
Car boot compartment conveniently becomes a “sauna”?
3 Under the sweltering heat in Singapore, the woman certainly appeared to have used the empty car boot compartment and conveniently converted it to a “sauna”. Preliminary investigations revealed that the 26-year-old male Malaysian driver was promised SGD500 to bring the immigration offender out of the country. He had also admitted to abetting the illegal departure of the 43-year-old female PRC national.
4 Both the driver and the immigration offender are currently under investigation for the offences. The vehicle used in the commission of the offences has been detained and are liable for forfeiture. The ICA takes a serious view of attempts by foreigners 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
15 JULY 2011
2 On 15 July 2011, at about 8am, ICA officers directed a departing Malaysia-registered car for checks at the Woodlands Checkpoint. When the lone male driver pulled over, the ICA officers noticed the unusual calm demeanor of the driver. The sharp-eyed officers’ suspicion was aroused and they conducted a meticulous check on the white hatchback car. When the officers opened the car boot compartment, a woman was found crouching in it. The driver and the ‘undeclared’ passenger were immediately placed under arrest.
A multi-purpose car boot
Car boot compartment conveniently becomes a “sauna”?
3 Under the sweltering heat in Singapore, the woman certainly appeared to have used the empty car boot compartment and conveniently converted it to a “sauna”. Preliminary investigations revealed that the 26-year-old male Malaysian driver was promised SGD500 to bring the immigration offender out of the country. He had also admitted to abetting the illegal departure of the 43-year-old female PRC national.
4 Both the driver and the immigration offender are currently under investigation for the offences. The vehicle used in the commission of the offences has been detained and are liable for forfeiture. The ICA takes a serious view of attempts by foreigners 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
15 JULY 2011