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Desperate Trio
We do not know if they were the “Desperate Housewives” at home like the group of women in the popular American comedy-drama series. But we are certain that they are the “Desperate Trio” seeking to enter Singapore illegally. On 16 April 2008, the vigilant officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) foiled two attempts of illegal entry by three female nationals from the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
Case 1
2 On 16 April 2008 at about 1810 hrs, a silver 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 beneath the rear seats of the car. When the secret compartment was opened, two female PRC nationals were found hiding in it.
3 Preliminary investigations revealed that two female PRC nationals, aged 31 and 33 years old, were previously arrested for overstaying in Singapore. As they were prohibited from entering Singapore, they claimed to have each paid about RMB$13,000 to a fellow PRC man to arrange for them to enter Singapore illegally. They had wanted to come back and work in Singapore.
4 The 25 year-old Malaysian driver denied knowledge of the two women hiding in the car. He claimed that the car belonged to his friend and he had borrowed the car to enter Singapore for shopping.
Case 2
5 Just shortly after two hours at about 2030 hrs, another Malaysia- registered car arriving at the Woodlands Checkpoint was directed for further checks. The vigilant ICA officers noticed that the male driver was behaving nervously and appeared tense. While the officers were conducting checks on the vehicle, the officers heard some sounds coming out from beneath the rear seats and discovered that the floorboard attachment screws were newly installed. Sensing something amiss, the officers immediately opened the rear seat floorboard and found a female subject hiding inside the modified compartment.
6 The 32 year-old female PRC national claimed that she had paid RMB$13,000 to a PRC male national to arrange for her illegal entry into Singapore. Similar to the earlier case, the female PRC national was previously arrested for overstaying. She had wanted to come back to Singapore to earn money.
7 The driver, a 23 year-old Malaysian claimed that he was in financial difficulty and was promised RM$300 for the job.
8 ICA is investigating all the five persons for immigration offences. The cars have also been detained.
Related Penalties
9 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.
10 Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore’s security. The enhanced security checks are critical to our nation’s security especially with the escape of Mas Selamat bin Kastari. 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
17 April 2008
Case 1
2 On 16 April 2008 at about 1810 hrs, a silver 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 beneath the rear seats of the car. When the secret compartment was opened, two female PRC nationals were found hiding in it.
3 Preliminary investigations revealed that two female PRC nationals, aged 31 and 33 years old, were previously arrested for overstaying in Singapore. As they were prohibited from entering Singapore, they claimed to have each paid about RMB$13,000 to a fellow PRC man to arrange for them to enter Singapore illegally. They had wanted to come back and work in Singapore.
4 The 25 year-old Malaysian driver denied knowledge of the two women hiding in the car. He claimed that the car belonged to his friend and he had borrowed the car to enter Singapore for shopping.
Case 2
5 Just shortly after two hours at about 2030 hrs, another Malaysia- registered car arriving at the Woodlands Checkpoint was directed for further checks. The vigilant ICA officers noticed that the male driver was behaving nervously and appeared tense. While the officers were conducting checks on the vehicle, the officers heard some sounds coming out from beneath the rear seats and discovered that the floorboard attachment screws were newly installed. Sensing something amiss, the officers immediately opened the rear seat floorboard and found a female subject hiding inside the modified compartment.
6 The 32 year-old female PRC national claimed that she had paid RMB$13,000 to a PRC male national to arrange for her illegal entry into Singapore. Similar to the earlier case, the female PRC national was previously arrested for overstaying. She had wanted to come back to Singapore to earn money.
7 The driver, a 23 year-old Malaysian claimed that he was in financial difficulty and was promised RM$300 for the job.
8 ICA is investigating all the five persons for immigration offences. The cars have also been detained.
Related Penalties
9 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.
10 Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore’s security. The enhanced security checks are critical to our nation’s security especially with the escape of Mas Selamat bin Kastari. 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
17 April 2008