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Flaw in floorplan leads to fireworks find on the front-lines
The assortment of contraband items uncovered at the checkpoints is truly mind-boggling. This morning at 5.20am, officers of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) saw fireworks at the checkpoint.
2. The case was detected at the Woodlands Checkpoint, where a Singapore-registered car was stopped for a routine check. When the ICA officer looked into the car through its window, he observed that the floor was abnormally high. When the mat was lifted, packages of fireworks were found. Further checks conducted by ICA officers uncovered more assorted fireworks near the rear passenger seat and in the spare tyre compartment.
3. When interviewed, the 39-year-old Singaporean driver admitted that he was aware that fireworks are prohibited items in Singapore. He said that he had bought the fireworks from a provision shop in Malaysia for his own use.
4. The case has been handed over to the Police for investigations.
Penalty
5. The Police have warned that anyone who imports, possesses or discharges firecrackers without a permit risks being prosecuted. If convicted, the man faces a fine of up to $5,000, or a jail term of up to 2 years, or both.
Discharge of fireworks in Singapore
6. The discharge of firecrackers is restricted to celebratory events of significance organised at a national level in relation to Chinese New Year, for instance, the Singapore River Hong Bao and the Chinese New Year Eve Countdown event. Other events where the discharge of firecrackers is of traditional significance, for instance, opening ceremonies of new buildings and private functions remain prohibited.
Security at the checkpoints
7. ICA has tightened security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband. We would like to warn the public to think twice before they attempt to smuggle unlawful goods illegally into Singapore as our officers at the checkpoints maintain a high level of vigilance at all times and are trained to profile potential offenders.
2. The case was detected at the Woodlands Checkpoint, where a Singapore-registered car was stopped for a routine check. When the ICA officer looked into the car through its window, he observed that the floor was abnormally high. When the mat was lifted, packages of fireworks were found. Further checks conducted by ICA officers uncovered more assorted fireworks near the rear passenger seat and in the spare tyre compartment.
3. When interviewed, the 39-year-old Singaporean driver admitted that he was aware that fireworks are prohibited items in Singapore. He said that he had bought the fireworks from a provision shop in Malaysia for his own use.
4. The case has been handed over to the Police for investigations.
Penalty
5. The Police have warned that anyone who imports, possesses or discharges firecrackers without a permit risks being prosecuted. If convicted, the man faces a fine of up to $5,000, or a jail term of up to 2 years, or both.
Discharge of fireworks in Singapore
6. The discharge of firecrackers is restricted to celebratory events of significance organised at a national level in relation to Chinese New Year, for instance, the Singapore River Hong Bao and the Chinese New Year Eve Countdown event. Other events where the discharge of firecrackers is of traditional significance, for instance, opening ceremonies of new buildings and private functions remain prohibited.
Security at the checkpoints
7. ICA has tightened security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband. We would like to warn the public to think twice before they attempt to smuggle unlawful goods illegally into Singapore as our officers at the checkpoints maintain a high level of vigilance at all times and are trained to profile potential offenders.