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ICA’s Border & Inland Busts Over A Weekend
Weekends are typically the time of the week most people look forward to. Whether to spend time with their loved ones, going shopping, or just taking a rest and enjoying the simple pleasures of life, weekends allude to a time of rest, and of taking time to "smell the flowers."
2 Weekends have an altogether different meaning for Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers though. This is a time when traffic at the checkpoints is higher than usual and more petty smugglers start "coming out to play". In their own special ways, ICA officers play a crucial role in keeping the typical weekend of Singaporeans the way it was meant to be - relaxed.
Guardian of Our Gateways
Case 1 - Detection of 2,083 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in secret compartment of bus
3 On 23 April 2007, at about 0510 hrs, a Malaysia-registered factory bus arriving in Singapore through Woodlands Checkpoint was diverted by ICA officers for further checks. A preliminary visual inspection by the vigilant ICA officers found the bus to be suspicious. The bus had an unusual new coat of paint at the exterior areas near the bus tyres and the baggage compartment. In addition, traces of mud were found to be spread over the paint with an intention to conceal the new coating.
4 The ICA officers directed the bus for a more detailed scan and further checks. With the scan by the Z-backscatter van, images resembling boxes of contraband items were found beneath the floorboard of the bus. Upon removing the passenger seats and the floorboard, the officers found some 2,083 cartons x 200 sticks of contraband cigarettes. The total customs and GST payable amounted to about $156,000. The driver, a 35 year-old Malaysian Indian, and the exhibits were referred to the Singapore Customs for further investigations.
Case 2 - Detection of 400 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in secret compartment of bus
5 Just 24 hrs earlier, another attempt to smuggle duty-unpaid cigarettes in a secret compartment in a Malaysia-registered bus was also thwarted by the ICA officers.
6 On 22 April 2007, at about 0400 hrs, a Malaysia-registered bus arriving at the Woodlands Checkpoint bus concourse was diverted by ICA officers for further checks. The vigilant officers made a thorough visual examination of the bus, before scanning it using the Z-backscatter van. What they saw confirmed their suspicions. The officers proceeded to rip open the rear floorboards of the bus, unravelling 400 cartons x 200 sticks of contraband cigarettes. The total customs duty and GST payable was estimated to be about $30,000. The driver, a 32 year-old Malaysian Indian, admitted acknowledge of the presence of the contrabands, and claimed that he was paid RM$500 for the delivery. The driver and the exhibits were handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigations.
Case 3 - Detection of 240 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in a car
7 One hour later in the same morning, at about 0515 hrs, a Malaysia-registered car arriving at Woodlands Checkpoint was stopped by the ICA officers and directed for further checks. When asked to open the car bonnet for checks, the driver, a 22 year-old Chinese male Malaysian panicked and dashed towards the exit of the checkpoint, leading to the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE). However, he did not make it far. Checkpoint officers who were alerted immediately gave chase and intercepted him quickly.
8 A total of 240 cartons x 200 sticks of contraband cigarettes were found hidden in the vehicle. They were retrieved from within the bonnet, dashboard and fuel tank of the vehicle. The total customs duty and GST payable amounted to about $18,000. The driver and exhibits were handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigations.
Case 4 - Detection of 850 pieces of uncensored and obscene DVDs
9 On 22 April 2007 at about 2050 hrs, the ICA officers referred a Malaysia-registered car arriving at the Woodlands Checkpoint for more detailed checks. Checkpoint officers found 850 DVDs hidden in a specially constructed compartment in the rear bumper of the vehicle. The discs were suspected to be uncensored and obscene. When questioned, the 26 year-old driver, a Malaysian Chinese, admitted knowledge of the exhibits. He claimed that he was promised RM$200 to smuggle the discs into Singapore. The subject, together with the exhibits, was handed over to the Police for further investigations.
A Force to be Reckoned With - Arrest of 43 Immigration Offenders in a series of raids
10 Just as their colleagues at the checkpoints were guarding the borders vigilantly, ICA enforcement officers were also meticulously finalising their plans over the weekend for an island-wide operation against Immigration Offenders (IOs). Eight HDB residential units and one bungalow at Punggol, Tampines, Bedok, Circuit Road, Choa Chu Kang and Jurong area were targetted.
11 In the early morning of 23 April 2007, ICA officers set off on the raids. With swiftness and precision, the IOs were overwhelmed by the element of surprise and could hardly put up a struggle. In fact, with ICA officers having covered the ground so well, the IOs had nowhere to escape. In a short span of about five hours, ICA's series of nine raids nabbed a total of 36 IOs and seven suspected illegal workers. Aged between 20 - 52, the 42 males and one female subject comprise nationals from Indian, Myanmar, Nepal, Bangladesh and the People's Republic of China.
12 Preliminary investigations revealed that the IOs and suspected illegal workers worked as ad-hoc general workers, earning $18 - $60 daily. The arrested subjects were subsequently brought back to ICA and the SPF for further investigations.
Related Penalties
13 As our country's first line of defence against terrorist threats, ICA has a duty to ensure the security and safety of Singapore. 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 contraband. 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. We would like to advise the public against smuggling unlawful goods into Singapore.
14 For attempted smuggling of duty-unpaid cigarettes, first time offenders can be fined up to a maximum of 20 times the amount of duty evaded upon conviction by the court. 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.
15 Under the Copyright Act (Cap 63), persons found guilty of selling or distributing articles of any work in which copyright or trademark subsists are liable to a fine of up to $10,000/- per article (or up to a maximum fine of $100,000/-), and/or to a jail term up to 5 years. Under Films Act (Cap 107), persons found guilty of importing obscene films are liable to a fine not less than $1,000/- for each film imported (but not exceeding aggregate of $40,000/-), and/or to a jail term up to 12 months. Repeat offenders are liable to a fine not less than $2,000/- for each film imported (but not exceeding aggregate of $100,000/-), and/or to a jail term up to 2 years.
16 ICA takes a serious view of attempts by foreigners to overstay or enter 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.
17 ICA would also like to remind the public that it is an offence to offer shelter and employment to immigration offenders. Homeowners can make use of ICA's online checking system, called "VERIFI" (or Verification of Foreigner Immigration Status) to verify the immigration passes of their prospective tenants.
The Challenges Ahead
18 These successful detections and raids will not be the finishing line for ICA officers. ICA will be having its annual Work Plan Seminar, themed the "ICA Infinity" at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Campus tomorrow. It focuses on how ICA, as a leading border security authority, is facing continuous challenges not just at the borders, but also in the region, as well as in the global context. So, what will these challenges be? How will ICA be geared up to face these challenges? Let's stay tuned.
2 Weekends have an altogether different meaning for Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers though. This is a time when traffic at the checkpoints is higher than usual and more petty smugglers start "coming out to play". In their own special ways, ICA officers play a crucial role in keeping the typical weekend of Singaporeans the way it was meant to be - relaxed.
Guardian of Our Gateways
Case 1 - Detection of 2,083 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in secret compartment of bus
3 On 23 April 2007, at about 0510 hrs, a Malaysia-registered factory bus arriving in Singapore through Woodlands Checkpoint was diverted by ICA officers for further checks. A preliminary visual inspection by the vigilant ICA officers found the bus to be suspicious. The bus had an unusual new coat of paint at the exterior areas near the bus tyres and the baggage compartment. In addition, traces of mud were found to be spread over the paint with an intention to conceal the new coating.
4 The ICA officers directed the bus for a more detailed scan and further checks. With the scan by the Z-backscatter van, images resembling boxes of contraband items were found beneath the floorboard of the bus. Upon removing the passenger seats and the floorboard, the officers found some 2,083 cartons x 200 sticks of contraband cigarettes. The total customs and GST payable amounted to about $156,000. The driver, a 35 year-old Malaysian Indian, and the exhibits were referred to the Singapore Customs for further investigations.
Case 2 - Detection of 400 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in secret compartment of bus
5 Just 24 hrs earlier, another attempt to smuggle duty-unpaid cigarettes in a secret compartment in a Malaysia-registered bus was also thwarted by the ICA officers.
6 On 22 April 2007, at about 0400 hrs, a Malaysia-registered bus arriving at the Woodlands Checkpoint bus concourse was diverted by ICA officers for further checks. The vigilant officers made a thorough visual examination of the bus, before scanning it using the Z-backscatter van. What they saw confirmed their suspicions. The officers proceeded to rip open the rear floorboards of the bus, unravelling 400 cartons x 200 sticks of contraband cigarettes. The total customs duty and GST payable was estimated to be about $30,000. The driver, a 32 year-old Malaysian Indian, admitted acknowledge of the presence of the contrabands, and claimed that he was paid RM$500 for the delivery. The driver and the exhibits were handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigations.
Case 3 - Detection of 240 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in a car
7 One hour later in the same morning, at about 0515 hrs, a Malaysia-registered car arriving at Woodlands Checkpoint was stopped by the ICA officers and directed for further checks. When asked to open the car bonnet for checks, the driver, a 22 year-old Chinese male Malaysian panicked and dashed towards the exit of the checkpoint, leading to the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE). However, he did not make it far. Checkpoint officers who were alerted immediately gave chase and intercepted him quickly.
8 A total of 240 cartons x 200 sticks of contraband cigarettes were found hidden in the vehicle. They were retrieved from within the bonnet, dashboard and fuel tank of the vehicle. The total customs duty and GST payable amounted to about $18,000. The driver and exhibits were handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigations.
Case 4 - Detection of 850 pieces of uncensored and obscene DVDs
9 On 22 April 2007 at about 2050 hrs, the ICA officers referred a Malaysia-registered car arriving at the Woodlands Checkpoint for more detailed checks. Checkpoint officers found 850 DVDs hidden in a specially constructed compartment in the rear bumper of the vehicle. The discs were suspected to be uncensored and obscene. When questioned, the 26 year-old driver, a Malaysian Chinese, admitted knowledge of the exhibits. He claimed that he was promised RM$200 to smuggle the discs into Singapore. The subject, together with the exhibits, was handed over to the Police for further investigations.
A Force to be Reckoned With - Arrest of 43 Immigration Offenders in a series of raids
10 Just as their colleagues at the checkpoints were guarding the borders vigilantly, ICA enforcement officers were also meticulously finalising their plans over the weekend for an island-wide operation against Immigration Offenders (IOs). Eight HDB residential units and one bungalow at Punggol, Tampines, Bedok, Circuit Road, Choa Chu Kang and Jurong area were targetted.
11 In the early morning of 23 April 2007, ICA officers set off on the raids. With swiftness and precision, the IOs were overwhelmed by the element of surprise and could hardly put up a struggle. In fact, with ICA officers having covered the ground so well, the IOs had nowhere to escape. In a short span of about five hours, ICA's series of nine raids nabbed a total of 36 IOs and seven suspected illegal workers. Aged between 20 - 52, the 42 males and one female subject comprise nationals from Indian, Myanmar, Nepal, Bangladesh and the People's Republic of China.
12 Preliminary investigations revealed that the IOs and suspected illegal workers worked as ad-hoc general workers, earning $18 - $60 daily. The arrested subjects were subsequently brought back to ICA and the SPF for further investigations.
Related Penalties
13 As our country's first line of defence against terrorist threats, ICA has a duty to ensure the security and safety of Singapore. 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 contraband. 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. We would like to advise the public against smuggling unlawful goods into Singapore.
14 For attempted smuggling of duty-unpaid cigarettes, first time offenders can be fined up to a maximum of 20 times the amount of duty evaded upon conviction by the court. 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.
15 Under the Copyright Act (Cap 63), persons found guilty of selling or distributing articles of any work in which copyright or trademark subsists are liable to a fine of up to $10,000/- per article (or up to a maximum fine of $100,000/-), and/or to a jail term up to 5 years. Under Films Act (Cap 107), persons found guilty of importing obscene films are liable to a fine not less than $1,000/- for each film imported (but not exceeding aggregate of $40,000/-), and/or to a jail term up to 12 months. Repeat offenders are liable to a fine not less than $2,000/- for each film imported (but not exceeding aggregate of $100,000/-), and/or to a jail term up to 2 years.
16 ICA takes a serious view of attempts by foreigners to overstay or enter 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.
17 ICA would also like to remind the public that it is an offence to offer shelter and employment to immigration offenders. Homeowners can make use of ICA's online checking system, called "VERIFI" (or Verification of Foreigner Immigration Status) to verify the immigration passes of their prospective tenants.
The Challenges Ahead
18 These successful detections and raids will not be the finishing line for ICA officers. ICA will be having its annual Work Plan Seminar, themed the "ICA Infinity" at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts Campus tomorrow. It focuses on how ICA, as a leading border security authority, is facing continuous challenges not just at the borders, but also in the region, as well as in the global context. So, what will these challenges be? How will ICA be geared up to face these challenges? Let's stay tuned.