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What’s with the bulges these days?
Following the bulge that gave the game away on 1 July 2008, officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) came across another bulge the very next day at the Singapore Cruise Centre. As suspected, the bulge at this traveller’s waist was more to what meets the eye when he removed his clothes.
2 On 2 July 2008 at about 1230hrs at the arrival hall of Singapore Cruise Centre, ICA officers observed a man appearing shifty and nervous when approaching the baggage checks area. They also noticed that his waist was unusually bulging and he was walking with an unnatural gait.
Photo 1: Unusual bulge at the waist
3 The officers immediately conducted a thorough body search on the 61 year-old Singaporean and uncovered four packets of shag tobacco, weighing about 850 grams, strapped to his waist with the use of masking tape. The potential Customs duty and GST payable for the contraband tobacco amount to about S$281 and S$21 respectively.
Photo 2: Revealing the “bulge”
Photo 3: And what goes into it…
Photo 4: Shag tobacco seized
4 The subject admitted knowledge of the exhibits found. He claimed to have purchased the contrabands in Batam while visiting his family there and that those were for his personal consumption.
5 The case has been referred to the Singapore Customs for further investigations. Upon conviction by the court, first time offenders can be fined up to a maximum of 20 times the amount of duty evaded. For second or subsequent convictions, offenders can be jailed for up to two years, as well as being fined. The offenders also face further fines based on the amount of GST evaded.
6 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. The same methods of concealment used by contraband smugglers may be used by terrorists to smuggle arms and explosives to carry out attacks in Singapore.
7 ICA will put in every effort and continue to take the necessary measures to improve clearance efficiency as much as possible without compromising security. We seek your continued understanding and cooperation, and would like to advise all travellers against smuggling unlawful goods into Singapore.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
3 July 2008
2 On 2 July 2008 at about 1230hrs at the arrival hall of Singapore Cruise Centre, ICA officers observed a man appearing shifty and nervous when approaching the baggage checks area. They also noticed that his waist was unusually bulging and he was walking with an unnatural gait.
Photo 1: Unusual bulge at the waist
3 The officers immediately conducted a thorough body search on the 61 year-old Singaporean and uncovered four packets of shag tobacco, weighing about 850 grams, strapped to his waist with the use of masking tape. The potential Customs duty and GST payable for the contraband tobacco amount to about S$281 and S$21 respectively.
Photo 2: Revealing the “bulge”
Photo 3: And what goes into it…
Photo 4: Shag tobacco seized
4 The subject admitted knowledge of the exhibits found. He claimed to have purchased the contrabands in Batam while visiting his family there and that those were for his personal consumption.
5 The case has been referred to the Singapore Customs for further investigations. Upon conviction by the court, first time offenders can be fined up to a maximum of 20 times the amount of duty evaded. For second or subsequent convictions, offenders can be jailed for up to two years, as well as being fined. The offenders also face further fines based on the amount of GST evaded.
6 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. The same methods of concealment used by contraband smugglers may be used by terrorists to smuggle arms and explosives to carry out attacks in Singapore.
7 ICA will put in every effort and continue to take the necessary measures to improve clearance efficiency as much as possible without compromising security. We seek your continued understanding and cooperation, and would like to advise all travellers against smuggling unlawful goods into Singapore.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
3 July 2008