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Sharp Senses of ICA Officers
The stepped-up checks for Jemaah Islamiyah terrorist, Mas Selamat bin Kastari at the checkpoints have undoubtedly put physical strain on the officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) but their motivation and vigilance levels still run high. With innate senses that can detect even the slightest anomaly, the ICA officers have once again proven their commitment to Singapore's security with the detection of two contraband smuggling cases in a span of less than four hours.
Case 1: Sense of Touch -- Weighty Contrabands
2 On 25 March 2008 at about 1815 hrs, a Malaysia-registered car driven by a male Malaysian Chinese accompanied by a female Malaysian Chinese arrived at the Woodlands Checkpoint. In the course of the check, the alert ICA officer observed the door panels of the vehicle to be heavier than usual and further sighted cigarettes hidden at the rear left panel of the boot.
3 The vehicle was sent for thorough checks and ICA officers uncovered cartons of contraband cigarettes hidden at both door panels and side skirting of the car. A scan using the Z-backscatter van also showed anomalies in the scanned images.
4 A total of 366 cartons of cigarettes was found hidden in every possible hiding place of the vehicle. They include the bonnet, side panels of boot, seats, backrest, door panels, side skirting and undercarriage. The Customs duty and GST involved amount to around S$30,300 and S$2,700 respectively.
5 When interviewed, the subjects revealed that they were acquaintances. The 21 year-old Malaysian driver admitted knowledge of the contrabands and claimed that he was promised employment and a cash sum of RM20 if his delivery was successful. On the other hand, his 18 year-old female companion denied knowledge of the exhibits found.
Case 2: Sense of Sight - The Largest Trash of Tobacco in 2008!
6 Less than 4 hours later on the same day, at about 2205hrs, a Malaysia-registered lorry driven by a male Malaysian Malay accompanied by a female Malaysian Chinese arrived at the Cargo Complex of the Woodlands Checkpoint. The lorry was declared to be conveying "dustbin bags" and "calcium carbonate". However, the vigilant ICA officer manning the radiographic scanner noticed anomalies in the scanned image of the cargo and alerted his colleagues to conduct further checks.
7 The checks confirmed his suspicions. ICA officers uncovered the largest haul of tobacco for the year -- 2088 cartons x 200 sticks and 619 packets x 20 sticks of contraband cigarettes. The smugglers had attempted to throw the officers off track by layering the top tier with the declared consignment. The ICA officers persisted to check further and found the contrabands hidden beneath the top layer. The potential Customs duty and GST payable for the contrabands amount to about S$151,000 and S$13,500 respectively.
8 The 38 year-old driver and his 25 year old companion denied knowledge of the exhibits found and the latter also claimed that she only accompanied the driver to Singapore for sightseeing.
9 Both cases have been referred to 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.
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 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
26 March 2008
Case 1: Sense of Touch -- Weighty Contrabands
2 On 25 March 2008 at about 1815 hrs, a Malaysia-registered car driven by a male Malaysian Chinese accompanied by a female Malaysian Chinese arrived at the Woodlands Checkpoint. In the course of the check, the alert ICA officer observed the door panels of the vehicle to be heavier than usual and further sighted cigarettes hidden at the rear left panel of the boot.
3 The vehicle was sent for thorough checks and ICA officers uncovered cartons of contraband cigarettes hidden at both door panels and side skirting of the car. A scan using the Z-backscatter van also showed anomalies in the scanned images.
4 A total of 366 cartons of cigarettes was found hidden in every possible hiding place of the vehicle. They include the bonnet, side panels of boot, seats, backrest, door panels, side skirting and undercarriage. The Customs duty and GST involved amount to around S$30,300 and S$2,700 respectively.
5 When interviewed, the subjects revealed that they were acquaintances. The 21 year-old Malaysian driver admitted knowledge of the contrabands and claimed that he was promised employment and a cash sum of RM20 if his delivery was successful. On the other hand, his 18 year-old female companion denied knowledge of the exhibits found.
Case 2: Sense of Sight - The Largest Trash of Tobacco in 2008!
6 Less than 4 hours later on the same day, at about 2205hrs, a Malaysia-registered lorry driven by a male Malaysian Malay accompanied by a female Malaysian Chinese arrived at the Cargo Complex of the Woodlands Checkpoint. The lorry was declared to be conveying "dustbin bags" and "calcium carbonate". However, the vigilant ICA officer manning the radiographic scanner noticed anomalies in the scanned image of the cargo and alerted his colleagues to conduct further checks.
7 The checks confirmed his suspicions. ICA officers uncovered the largest haul of tobacco for the year -- 2088 cartons x 200 sticks and 619 packets x 20 sticks of contraband cigarettes. The smugglers had attempted to throw the officers off track by layering the top tier with the declared consignment. The ICA officers persisted to check further and found the contrabands hidden beneath the top layer. The potential Customs duty and GST payable for the contrabands amount to about S$151,000 and S$13,500 respectively.
8 The 38 year-old driver and his 25 year old companion denied knowledge of the exhibits found and the latter also claimed that she only accompanied the driver to Singapore for sightseeing.
9 Both cases have been referred to 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.
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 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
26 March 2008