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ICA News Release (21 Mar 2007)
Case 1
DISCOVERED! - “STORAGE TANK” FOR ILLEGAL DVDs
On 19 Mar 2007, at about 1949 hrs, a Malaysia-registered car arriving at Woodlands Checkpoint was diverted by ICA officers for a more detailed inspection. In the course of the checks, the alert officers found a total of 1,093 DVDs, suspected to be uncensored and obscene, hidden in the modified fuel tank compartment of the vehicle.
2 The driver, a 32-year old Malaysian Chinese, was immediately placed under arrest. When questioned, the male subject admitted knowledge of the exhibits, and claimed that he was offered RM$200 to smuggle the DVDs into Singapore.
3 The driver and exhibits were referred to the Singapore Police Force (SPF) for further investigations.
Related penalties
4 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.
Case 2
SMOKING FLOORBOARD DOUSED
5 On 20 Mar 2007, at about 1110 hrs, a Singapore registered tour bus arriving at the Woodlands Checkpoint was detected with 1,400 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden beneath the floorboard of the bus.
6 Driven by a 32-year-old Singaporean male, the empty bus was directed by ICA officers for a more thorough check. An X-ray scan on the bus by the Z-Backscatter Van showed images of boxes hidden beneath the floorboard of the bus. The ICA officers removed the floorboard and found 1,400 cartons x 200 sticks of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in the secret compartment.
7 The driver was immediately arrested. When questioned, he admitted knowledge of the exhibits. He claimed that he was promised a sum of $5,600 for a successful delivery into Singapore. The driver and exhibits were subsequently referred to Singapore Customs for investigations. The total Customs Duties and GST payable was estimated at about $98,600 and $6,300 respectively.
Related penalties
8 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.
Security at our checkpoints
9 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.
DISCOVERED! - “STORAGE TANK” FOR ILLEGAL DVDs
On 19 Mar 2007, at about 1949 hrs, a Malaysia-registered car arriving at Woodlands Checkpoint was diverted by ICA officers for a more detailed inspection. In the course of the checks, the alert officers found a total of 1,093 DVDs, suspected to be uncensored and obscene, hidden in the modified fuel tank compartment of the vehicle.
2 The driver, a 32-year old Malaysian Chinese, was immediately placed under arrest. When questioned, the male subject admitted knowledge of the exhibits, and claimed that he was offered RM$200 to smuggle the DVDs into Singapore.
3 The driver and exhibits were referred to the Singapore Police Force (SPF) for further investigations.
Related penalties
4 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.
Case 2
SMOKING FLOORBOARD DOUSED
5 On 20 Mar 2007, at about 1110 hrs, a Singapore registered tour bus arriving at the Woodlands Checkpoint was detected with 1,400 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden beneath the floorboard of the bus.
6 Driven by a 32-year-old Singaporean male, the empty bus was directed by ICA officers for a more thorough check. An X-ray scan on the bus by the Z-Backscatter Van showed images of boxes hidden beneath the floorboard of the bus. The ICA officers removed the floorboard and found 1,400 cartons x 200 sticks of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in the secret compartment.
7 The driver was immediately arrested. When questioned, he admitted knowledge of the exhibits. He claimed that he was promised a sum of $5,600 for a successful delivery into Singapore. The driver and exhibits were subsequently referred to Singapore Customs for investigations. The total Customs Duties and GST payable was estimated at about $98,600 and $6,300 respectively.
Related penalties
8 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.
Security at our checkpoints
9 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.