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Feathers of "Luck"
In the past, people used feathers as charms that could bring them good luck and fortune. However, the supposedly positive energy and luck of the feathers were not able to prevail over the eagle eyes of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers. Standing guard resolutely at the frontline of Singapore’s gateways, the ICA officers remain ever vigilant to ensure that undesirables, even if it is the “charmed” ones, do not enter the country.
2 On 7 April 2011 at about 7am, a Singapore-registered car driven by a lone male Singaporean arrived at the Woodlands Checkpoint. The driver seemed anxious as his car pulled into the Arrival Car Bay. Observing the extremely nervous driver who avoided eye contact, the quick-witted ICA officers sensed that something was amiss and immediately directed the vehicle for further checks.
The Mitsubishi lancer is stopped for a check
3 True to their sharp instincts, flapping sounds could be heard coming from below the driver’s seat. The ICA officers proceeded to search the vehicle and uncovered live birds, packed in plastic crates, hidden under the passenger and driver seats.
Hidden under driver seat Hidden under passenger seat
240 Munia birds hidden in the crates
Close-up view of the Munia birds
4 The two crates were found to contain 240 Munia birds. Upon questioning, the 42-year-old Singaporean, claimed he had purchased the birds for religious purposes from a pet shop in Johor, Malaysia. The man, the birds and the vehicle, were referred to the Agri-food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) for further investigations.
5 The ICA and AVA would like to remind travellers against bringing live animals, birds and insects into Singapore without a proper permit. The importation of any animals or live birds without an AVA permit is a violation of the Animals and Birds Act, which carries a maximum penalty of $10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year.
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. In view of the potential danger of introducing infectious diseases into Singapore, we would like to advise the public against the smuggling of animals, animal products, meat and meat products into Singapore.
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
8 April 2011
2 On 7 April 2011 at about 7am, a Singapore-registered car driven by a lone male Singaporean arrived at the Woodlands Checkpoint. The driver seemed anxious as his car pulled into the Arrival Car Bay. Observing the extremely nervous driver who avoided eye contact, the quick-witted ICA officers sensed that something was amiss and immediately directed the vehicle for further checks.
The Mitsubishi lancer is stopped for a check
3 True to their sharp instincts, flapping sounds could be heard coming from below the driver’s seat. The ICA officers proceeded to search the vehicle and uncovered live birds, packed in plastic crates, hidden under the passenger and driver seats.
Hidden under driver seat Hidden under passenger seat
240 Munia birds hidden in the crates
Close-up view of the Munia birds
4 The two crates were found to contain 240 Munia birds. Upon questioning, the 42-year-old Singaporean, claimed he had purchased the birds for religious purposes from a pet shop in Johor, Malaysia. The man, the birds and the vehicle, were referred to the Agri-food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) for further investigations.
5 The ICA and AVA would like to remind travellers against bringing live animals, birds and insects into Singapore without a proper permit. The importation of any animals or live birds without an AVA permit is a violation of the Animals and Birds Act, which carries a maximum penalty of $10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year.
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. In view of the potential danger of introducing infectious diseases into Singapore, we would like to advise the public against the smuggling of animals, animal products, meat and meat products into Singapore.
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
8 April 2011