The driver and passengers of a Singapore-registered car were caught by surprise when Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers intercepted the vehicle within the vicinity of Tuas Checkpoint on 13 August 2008 at about 0445 hrs. The five subjects – three immigration offenders (IO) and two Singaporean abettors were arrested.



Photo: Singapore-registered vehicle (Fiat Punto)

2 The Singaporeans had intended to abet the trio’s illegal departure via water route. The plan was, however, not carried out. The subjects were returning to the car when they were checked by the ICA officers.

3 Of the three immigration offenders from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), one female, aged 40, had previously been convicted of overstaying and possession of uncensored films in Singapore. She claimed to be in Singapore for the collection of outstanding debt owed by the supplier of the uncensored films.

4 The other 39 year-old female and 31 year-old male PRC nationals had overstayed in Singapore for periods ranging from one to four years. The three of them claimed that they were charged S$2000 to S$3000 for the arrangements to depart Singapore illegally.

5 The Singaporean male subjects, aged 16 and 19 years, claimed that they were approached by a man known as “Ah Leng” who had promised them S$100 each to send the PRC IO to a pre-designated spot where a boat from Malaysia would convey them out of Singapore into Malaysia.

6 The young abettors further indicated that they had picked up the immigration offenders together with “Ah Leng” at an MRT station at about 2100 hrs on 12 August 2008. Upon nearing Tuas Checkpoint, “Ah Leng” parted company to make further arrangements and maintained constant communication with the group through their mobile phones.

7 ICA is investigating all five persons for immigration-related offences. The vehicle has also been seized.

8 ICA takes a serious view of attempts by foreigners to 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. The penalty for abetting immigration offenders out of Singapore is a jail term of two to five years, plus a minimum of three strokes of the cane.

END OF NEWS RELEASE
13 August 2008