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‘Contortionist’ acts at the land checkpoints
Two adult ‘contortionists’ had made their special appearances separately at the two land checkpoints. On 16 November 2010, a female PRC ‘contortionist’ was caught in her act by hiding in a car boot at the Woodlands Checkpoint at 10am. Two days later, on 18 November 2010, another ‘contortionist’ was caught performing the same act, at the Tuas Checkpoint at 10pm. Is it by coincidence that both had chosen to display their skills at the strike of ten o’clock? Read on to find out how the officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) expose the second ‘contortionist’ act in Tuas Checkpoint.
2. On 18 November 2010 at 10pm, a Malaysia-registered saloon car and its lone male driver was directed to the departure inspection area for further checks. The Malaysian driver was extremely uncomfortable and started to fidget nervously. This roused the suspicion of the sharp and alert ICA officers. While conducting checks, the ICA officers also heard strange noises coming from the car boot. True to their suspicion, when the ICA officers opened the car boot, a man was found crouching inside it. The driver and his undeclared passenger were immediately placed under arrest.
A contortionist at play?
3. During preliminary investigations, the 21-year-old Malay driver admitted to abetting the illegal departure of the 36-year-old Bangladeshi national, a suspected overstayer. The driver revealed that he was promised RM800 by his Malaysian friend if he successfully conveyed his passenger out of Singapore illegally. The driver was told to pick up the male Bangladeshi national at the vicinity of Boon Lay area. Subsequently, the Bangladeshi national was told to hide in the car boot on the way to Tuas Checkpoint. The immigration offender recounted that the arrangement for his illegal departure from Singapore was made by an agent for a fee of $1,200.
4. Both the driver and the immigration offender are currently under investigation for the offences. The vehicle used in the commission of this offence has been detained and is liable for forfeiture. The ICA takes a serious view of attempts by foreigners who 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. We conduct stringent 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
19 NOVEMBER 2010
2. On 18 November 2010 at 10pm, a Malaysia-registered saloon car and its lone male driver was directed to the departure inspection area for further checks. The Malaysian driver was extremely uncomfortable and started to fidget nervously. This roused the suspicion of the sharp and alert ICA officers. While conducting checks, the ICA officers also heard strange noises coming from the car boot. True to their suspicion, when the ICA officers opened the car boot, a man was found crouching inside it. The driver and his undeclared passenger were immediately placed under arrest.
A contortionist at play?
3. During preliminary investigations, the 21-year-old Malay driver admitted to abetting the illegal departure of the 36-year-old Bangladeshi national, a suspected overstayer. The driver revealed that he was promised RM800 by his Malaysian friend if he successfully conveyed his passenger out of Singapore illegally. The driver was told to pick up the male Bangladeshi national at the vicinity of Boon Lay area. Subsequently, the Bangladeshi national was told to hide in the car boot on the way to Tuas Checkpoint. The immigration offender recounted that the arrangement for his illegal departure from Singapore was made by an agent for a fee of $1,200.
4. Both the driver and the immigration offender are currently under investigation for the offences. The vehicle used in the commission of this offence has been detained and is liable for forfeiture. The ICA takes a serious view of attempts by foreigners who 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. We conduct stringent 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
19 NOVEMBER 2010