What crosses your mind when you see a set of oversized speakers in a car? Wow, surround sound effects, surreal acoustics, and a quality cinematic experience! To the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers however, they found these extravagant audio systems too ‘loud’ for their comfort.

2 On 9 September 2009 at about 8.45pm, a black Malaysia-registered car, driven by a lone male Chinese, arrived at the departure zone of Woodlands Checkpoint. The car was directed for more detailed checks when checkpoint officers noticed the driver behaving evasively.

3 Upon opening the car boot, officers smelled a rat when they observed that the speakers took up almost the entire boot space. Apart from this, the installations were not properly secured to the rear seats. The officers then removed the board covering the speakers and when it was lifted, a man was found hiding inside the modified rear speakers of the conveyance.



Oversized speakers which were too ‘loud’ for comfort







Caught in the act!

4 The 41-year-old Chinese national admitted that he had entered Singapore to seek illegal employment but decided to return to China as he could not find any job. He further claimed that he had approached a Chinese agent to smuggle him out of Singapore. He had paid the agent a deposit of S$1,000 for the illegal departure and was to pay another S$3,500 upon successfully leaving Singapore.

5 On the evening of the illicit escape, he met up with the agent, driver and another Chinese male whom he claimed was a member of a smuggling syndicate at the Kranji MRT station. There, he forked out another S$500 to the syndicate member and was told to pay a remaining amount upon successfully reaching Malaysia. He was then driven to a secluded area and instructed to hide inside the speaker compartment of the car boot.

6 The 29-year-old Malaysian driver admitted that he fell bait to an offer of RM1,000 by a smuggling syndicate based in Malaysia. Being in debt, he agreed to the job even though he was well aware that he would be contravening the law.

7 ICA is investigating both subjects for immigration offences. The vehicle has also been detained.

8 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. The vehicle used in the smuggling of the illegal immigrants will also be seized and liable for forfeiture.

9 Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore’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

11 September 2009