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ICA Nets Largest Arrest
At a time when most people would be fast asleep in the comfort of their bed, a group of immigration offenders (IOs) woke up, from under a bridge, to find that their days of evading the arms of Singapore’s law enforcers have ended.
2 In the wee hours of 21 May 2009, enforcement officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) mounted a raid in the vicinity of Whampoa flyover, to ambush a group of illegal foreigners seeking refuge underneath the structure. The operation successfully netted the largest arrest for the year of 2009 -- a total of 45 immigration offenders, comprising Indian and Bangladesh nationals.
Whampoa flyover
Nowhere to run…
3 Following the successful operation, the ICA mounted a second raid in the vicinity of Aljunied flyover on 2 June. Another 13 Indian immigration offenders were arrested. Within a short span of 2 weeks, ICA has nabbed a total of 58 immigration offenders.
Rude awakening at the Aljunied flyover
4 The swiftness of the raids caught the offenders by surprise. While many of those arrested were barely awake, some of the more sober offenders tried to evade apprehension by fleeing in all directions. Their feeble attempts were to no avail when faced with the unwavering vigilance and strong teamwork of ICA officers. Very swiftly, the ICA officers rounded up these immigration offenders who had been living underneath the flyover as they find it difficult to find proper lodging in Singapore due to their illegal status.
5 All 58 subjects arrested were males, ages ranging from 21 to 56 years old. Preliminary investigations showed that they were working mainly as general workers, construction workers, odd job labourers and cleaners, earning an irregular income of about $7 to $40 daily. The ICA is investigating the subjects for immigration-related offences.
6 The ICA takes a serious view of attempts by foreigners who overstay or enter 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. In cases where caning cannot be administered, the offender will be fined up to $6,000.
7 In addition, the ICA would like to take the opportunity to remind homeowners that it is an offence to harbour immigration offenders. Under the Immigration Act, to harbour means to give food or shelter and includes the act of assisting a person in any way to evade apprehension. To help us take action against immigration offenders, members of public with information can call ICA at Tel: 1800-391 6150.
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
2 JUNE 2009
2 In the wee hours of 21 May 2009, enforcement officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) mounted a raid in the vicinity of Whampoa flyover, to ambush a group of illegal foreigners seeking refuge underneath the structure. The operation successfully netted the largest arrest for the year of 2009 -- a total of 45 immigration offenders, comprising Indian and Bangladesh nationals.
Whampoa flyover
Nowhere to run…
3 Following the successful operation, the ICA mounted a second raid in the vicinity of Aljunied flyover on 2 June. Another 13 Indian immigration offenders were arrested. Within a short span of 2 weeks, ICA has nabbed a total of 58 immigration offenders.
Rude awakening at the Aljunied flyover
4 The swiftness of the raids caught the offenders by surprise. While many of those arrested were barely awake, some of the more sober offenders tried to evade apprehension by fleeing in all directions. Their feeble attempts were to no avail when faced with the unwavering vigilance and strong teamwork of ICA officers. Very swiftly, the ICA officers rounded up these immigration offenders who had been living underneath the flyover as they find it difficult to find proper lodging in Singapore due to their illegal status.
5 All 58 subjects arrested were males, ages ranging from 21 to 56 years old. Preliminary investigations showed that they were working mainly as general workers, construction workers, odd job labourers and cleaners, earning an irregular income of about $7 to $40 daily. The ICA is investigating the subjects for immigration-related offences.
6 The ICA takes a serious view of attempts by foreigners who overstay or enter 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. In cases where caning cannot be administered, the offender will be fined up to $6,000.
7 In addition, the ICA would like to take the opportunity to remind homeowners that it is an offence to harbour immigration offenders. Under the Immigration Act, to harbour means to give food or shelter and includes the act of assisting a person in any way to evade apprehension. To help us take action against immigration offenders, members of public with information can call ICA at Tel: 1800-391 6150.
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
2 JUNE 2009