Back to top
“Rearing” To Depart
A female national from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was all ready to depart Singapore as she cuddled up and hid in a secret compartment behind the rear seats of a car. Little did she know that the vigilant officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) would foil her attempt of illegal exit from the country.
2 On 19 June 2008 at about 1510 hrs, a grey Malaysia-registered car, driven by a lone male Malay, arrived at the Woodlands Checkpoint. The car was directed for more detailed checks. The alert ICA officers soon found a secret compartment behind the rear seats of the car. When the secret compartment was opened, a female PRC national was found hiding in it.
Photo 1: Grey Malaysia-Registered car
Photo 2: Rear speakers
Photo 3: Secret compartment behind the rear seats
Photo 4: One PRC female national found hiding in car
3 The 27-year-old female PRC national claimed that her passport was stolen after she arrived in Singapore. Knowing that she had overstayed in Singapore, she paid a sum of S$1000.00 to an unknown Chinese male to make arrangements to smuggle her out of Singapore. At around 1100hrs of 19 June 2008, she was told to proceed to Mandai Road to await further instructions. The driver came to pick her up and told her to hide inside the secret compartment.
4 The 27 year-old Malaysian driver admitted knowledge of the woman hiding in the car and that he had instructed her to hide herself inside a secret compartment behind the rear seats of his car to avoid any detection. He further revealed that he was promised RM500 for successful transportation of the female PRC out of Singapore.
5 ICA is investigating both subjects for immigration offences. The vehicle has also been detained.
Related Penalties
6 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.
7 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. 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. 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 against smuggling unlawful goods into Singapore.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
20 June 2008
2 On 19 June 2008 at about 1510 hrs, a grey Malaysia-registered car, driven by a lone male Malay, arrived at the Woodlands Checkpoint. The car was directed for more detailed checks. The alert ICA officers soon found a secret compartment behind the rear seats of the car. When the secret compartment was opened, a female PRC national was found hiding in it.
Photo 1: Grey Malaysia-Registered car
Photo 2: Rear speakers
Photo 3: Secret compartment behind the rear seats
Photo 4: One PRC female national found hiding in car
3 The 27-year-old female PRC national claimed that her passport was stolen after she arrived in Singapore. Knowing that she had overstayed in Singapore, she paid a sum of S$1000.00 to an unknown Chinese male to make arrangements to smuggle her out of Singapore. At around 1100hrs of 19 June 2008, she was told to proceed to Mandai Road to await further instructions. The driver came to pick her up and told her to hide inside the secret compartment.
4 The 27 year-old Malaysian driver admitted knowledge of the woman hiding in the car and that he had instructed her to hide herself inside a secret compartment behind the rear seats of his car to avoid any detection. He further revealed that he was promised RM500 for successful transportation of the female PRC out of Singapore.
5 ICA is investigating both subjects for immigration offences. The vehicle has also been detained.
Related Penalties
6 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.
7 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. 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. 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 against smuggling unlawful goods into Singapore.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
20 June 2008