Within a span of 12 hours, two Malaysians chose to challenge the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) by bringing contraband items in return for a few hundred ringgit. Unfortunately for them, our officers at the Woodlands Checkpoint outwitted them. 

 

5 January 2009, 1800 hrs in a black Kia Spectra

 

2          The mystery black of the Malaysia-registered "Kia Spectra” did not conceal the shifty driver behind the wheel. Noting the evasive behaviour of the lone male driver, the officers directed the vehicle for further checks. While inspecting the vehicle, officers found optical discs wrapped in plastic hidden in the vehicle’s fuel tank, rear fender and rear boot cover which have been modified to conceal the illicit items.

 

3          It was at this point of discovery that the 25-year-old Malaysian Chinese driver broke down and admitted knowledge to the 2,071 pieces of uncensored and suspected obscene discs found.  He claimed that he was instructed to await further instructions upon entering Singapore successfully. Currently unemployed, he was enticed by the offer of RM300 offered by the piracy syndicate.

 

                                           
             

Photo 1: Top-to-toe modification – Fuel tank, rear boot cover and rear fender

 

Photo 2: The plot thickens…

 

4        The subject and the illegal optical discs have been handed over to the Singapore Police Force for further investigations.  Under the Copyright Act (Cap 63), persons found guilty of selling or distributing articles of any work in which copyright or trademark subsists are liable to a fine of up to $10,000/- per article (or up to a maximum fine of $100,000/-), and/or to a jail term up to 5 years.  Under the Films Act (Cap 107), persons found guilty of importing obscene films are liable to a fine not less than $1,000/- for each film imported (but not exceeding aggregate of $40,000/-), and/or to a jail term up to 12 months. Repeat offenders are liable to a fine not less than $2,000/- for each film imported (but not exceeding aggregate of $100,000/-), and/or to a jail term up to 2 years.

6 January 2009, 0500 hrs in a silver Proton Waja


 

5          Less than 12 hours later, at about 0500 hrs of the next day, ICA officers at Woodlands Checkpoint outwitted another smuggling syndicate. This time, it was a Malaysia-registered car silver Proton Waja driven by a lone male Malaysian. He sold out for RM600 for what seemed to be an easy mule job. By leaving his vehicle with the syndicate for less than a day, it would be loaded with the stash. He only had to drive the same car to a specific location in Aljunied for the stash to be unloaded before he could claim his payment. 

           

6          Convinced that the illegal imports were safely tucked away, the 32-year-old Malay subject appeared cool and collected when his car was directed for inspection. However, beneath his calm appearance belied an anxiety which did not escape the eyes of our vigilant officers.  While inspecting the vehicle, the officers found that the fuel tank appeared different. It seemed to be lower than usual and had a fresh coat of paint over it.

 

7          At this point, the officers wasted no time and launched into a thorough inspection of the vehicle. Their efforts were rewarded when the sharp-eyed officers caught a misalignment in the floorboard of the vehicle. Together, they uncovered a total of 115 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in a modified floorboard and fuel tank of the car. The potential Customs duty and GST payable for the contrabands amount to about S$11,000 and S$990 respectively.

 

 
 
Now you don’t see it… now you do!

(Top to bottom: Concealed in modified floorboard and modified fuel tank)

 

8          The case was referred to Singapore Customs for further investigations.  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 lorry used in conveying this contraband will also be liable for forfeiture.

9          Under the Customs Act as well as the Immigration Act, vehicles used in the smuggling of contraband items or illegal immigrants will be seized and are liable to be forfeited. It is the responsibility of logistics companies and bus owners operating across the borders to ensure that their vehicles are not used for smuggling unlawful goods or persons into Singapore as they would ultimately have to bear the cost of their employees’ wrongdoings. 

9          Our borders are our first lind of defence in safegaurding 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.

 

 

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY

6 JANUARY 2009