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Checkpoints Peek-a-Boo
The last long weekend starting on 28 May 2010 was indeed a happening one; not only for school children and holiday makers but surely for the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers. Indeed, in the short three-day holiday period, hundreds of thousands of Singaporeans and visitors thronged the two land checkpoints, making their way across both sides of the Causeway to enjoy the short break. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the checkpoints, the ICA officers remain vigilant and are constantly on the lookout for travellers who attempt to bootleg illicit items into Singapore.
Contraband cigarettes detected!
2. Smugglers’ mischief began right after Vesak Day on 29 May at about 7pm when ICA officers at the Tuas Checkpoint uncovered 1,450 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in the modified floorboard of a Singapore-registered bus. The ever-alert ICA officers noticed that the bus, driven by a Singapore male Chinese with six passengers onboard, had a narrow aisle and raised floorboard and became suspicious that there might be a secret compartment in the vehicle. Indeed, the officers were proven right as they sighted cartons of contraband cigarettes through a corner of the floorboard. Wasting no time, the officers proceeded to pry open the floorboard to access the modified compartment. The potential customs duty and GST payable for the duty-unpaid cigarettes amount to about S$102,000 and S$ 9,000 respectively. The driver was immediately placed under arrest.
Contraband cigarettes in the modified floorboard
More contraband cigarettes uncovered!
3. During preliminary investigation, the 59-year old Singaporean driver revealed that he was recently introduced to the job by a male associate to ferry passengers between Singapore and Johor for S$50 per trip. On 29 May, he was contacted by the associate to pick up passengers from Johor. When he arrives in Singapore, he was to wait for a call that would instruct him on where to park the bus. Unfortunately for him, ICA officers foiled his plans. He was subsequently referred to the Singapore Customs for further investigations.
The bus used in the smuggling of the duty-unpaid cigarettes
4. Travellers who are caught importing uncustomed goods will be dealt with under the Customs Act, Cap 70. Upon conviction by the court, first time offenders can be fined up to 20 times the amount of duty evaded and liable to a jail term not exceeding three years. For second or subsequent convictions, offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty evaded and jailed for up to six years. The offenders also face further fines based on the amount of GST evaded. The vehicles used in conveying the contraband will also be liable for forfeiture.
Red or Green? Choose the appropriate channel!
5. Besides this large seizure of contraband cigarettes, ICA officers also detected and intercepted more than 200 travellers involved in bringing in dutiable items such as duty-unpaid cigarettes, liquor and tobacco through the Green Channel between 28 and 30 May at the two land checkpoints. The ICA would like to remind all arriving travellers that they are required to make a complete and accurate declaration on dutiable or taxable items to the Duty Officer at the Red Channel.
Security-related items – one too many?
6. The detections were not limited to contraband items. During the three-day holiday period, ICA officers were greeted with knuckle dusters, nightsticks, batons, pepper spray at the checkpoints. An average of 17 cases involving such security-related items was detected by our officers each day. The ICA views each smuggling attempt seriously as they can compromise the security of our nation. Travellers who attempt to bring in prohibited or controlled items without proper authorization will be dealt with accordingly.
Everyone has a part to play!
7. 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.
8. Travellers are advised to play their part when using the checkpoints. Regardless of the nature of the offences, any violation at the checkpoints will affect clearance efficiency and cause inconvenience to other travellers.
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
4 JUNE 2010
Contraband cigarettes detected!
2. Smugglers’ mischief began right after Vesak Day on 29 May at about 7pm when ICA officers at the Tuas Checkpoint uncovered 1,450 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in the modified floorboard of a Singapore-registered bus. The ever-alert ICA officers noticed that the bus, driven by a Singapore male Chinese with six passengers onboard, had a narrow aisle and raised floorboard and became suspicious that there might be a secret compartment in the vehicle. Indeed, the officers were proven right as they sighted cartons of contraband cigarettes through a corner of the floorboard. Wasting no time, the officers proceeded to pry open the floorboard to access the modified compartment. The potential customs duty and GST payable for the duty-unpaid cigarettes amount to about S$102,000 and S$ 9,000 respectively. The driver was immediately placed under arrest.
Contraband cigarettes in the modified floorboard
More contraband cigarettes uncovered!
3. During preliminary investigation, the 59-year old Singaporean driver revealed that he was recently introduced to the job by a male associate to ferry passengers between Singapore and Johor for S$50 per trip. On 29 May, he was contacted by the associate to pick up passengers from Johor. When he arrives in Singapore, he was to wait for a call that would instruct him on where to park the bus. Unfortunately for him, ICA officers foiled his plans. He was subsequently referred to the Singapore Customs for further investigations.
The bus used in the smuggling of the duty-unpaid cigarettes
4. Travellers who are caught importing uncustomed goods will be dealt with under the Customs Act, Cap 70. Upon conviction by the court, first time offenders can be fined up to 20 times the amount of duty evaded and liable to a jail term not exceeding three years. For second or subsequent convictions, offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty evaded and jailed for up to six years. The offenders also face further fines based on the amount of GST evaded. The vehicles used in conveying the contraband will also be liable for forfeiture.
Red or Green? Choose the appropriate channel!
5. Besides this large seizure of contraband cigarettes, ICA officers also detected and intercepted more than 200 travellers involved in bringing in dutiable items such as duty-unpaid cigarettes, liquor and tobacco through the Green Channel between 28 and 30 May at the two land checkpoints. The ICA would like to remind all arriving travellers that they are required to make a complete and accurate declaration on dutiable or taxable items to the Duty Officer at the Red Channel.
Security-related items – one too many?
6. The detections were not limited to contraband items. During the three-day holiday period, ICA officers were greeted with knuckle dusters, nightsticks, batons, pepper spray at the checkpoints. An average of 17 cases involving such security-related items was detected by our officers each day. The ICA views each smuggling attempt seriously as they can compromise the security of our nation. Travellers who attempt to bring in prohibited or controlled items without proper authorization will be dealt with accordingly.
Everyone has a part to play!
7. 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.
8. Travellers are advised to play their part when using the checkpoints. Regardless of the nature of the offences, any violation at the checkpoints will affect clearance efficiency and cause inconvenience to other travellers.
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
4 JUNE 2010