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More Than a Tonne Of Cockles Destroyed In Joint ICA-AVA Operation
Acting on information received about a group of immigration offenders who were shucking cockles in their homes, officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) joined forces to conduct an operation at Marsiling Estate. A total of eight HDB units were raided and 16 immigration offenders and one Singaporean harbourer were arrested during the operation.
2 A total of 821 kg of unprocessed cockles and 248kg of shucked cockles were seized from the HDB units. During the operation, two lorries were intercepted while they were delivering the cockles to the immigration offenders. Another 360 kg of unprocessed cockles and 109 kg of shucked cockles were found on the two lorries. All the cockles were seized and destroyed by AVA. The drivers had been summoned to report to AVA for investigation.
3 The 16 immigration offenders arrested were PRC nationals aged between 20 and 49 years old. Three of them were men while the rest were women. Preliminary investigations revealed that they were paid a daily rate of $20 - $35 for shucking cockles. Together with the 50-year-old male Singaporean harbourer, the PRC immigration offenders were referred to Police for further investigations.
4 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. Under the AVA’s Wholesome Meat and Fish Act, any person who uses any premises or permit any premises to be used as a processing establishment is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.
5 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. VERIFI can be accessed through ICA’s internet website: http://www.ica.gov.sg and allows users to receive an instantaneous reply on the validity of the immigration passes presented to them. Similarly, MOM has a system to allow the checking on the validity of work passes at its website: http://www.mom.gov.sg. Everyone has a part to play in keeping Singapore safe and secure. We urge members of public with information regarding immigration offenders to call ICA at Tel: 1800-391 6150 or contact the Police.
6 AVA would also like to remind the public that only cooked meat and seafood, including cockles should be consumed. An inherent level of risk is involved in consuming uncooked or half cooked food. Cockle meat, in particular, must be well-cooked before consumption. Cockles pose a higher risk as they are filter feeders and contain food poisoning organisms. Whenever possible, all food should be thoroughly cooked before consumption. Cooking kills bacteria, viruses and other food poisoning organisms.
2 A total of 821 kg of unprocessed cockles and 248kg of shucked cockles were seized from the HDB units. During the operation, two lorries were intercepted while they were delivering the cockles to the immigration offenders. Another 360 kg of unprocessed cockles and 109 kg of shucked cockles were found on the two lorries. All the cockles were seized and destroyed by AVA. The drivers had been summoned to report to AVA for investigation.
3 The 16 immigration offenders arrested were PRC nationals aged between 20 and 49 years old. Three of them were men while the rest were women. Preliminary investigations revealed that they were paid a daily rate of $20 - $35 for shucking cockles. Together with the 50-year-old male Singaporean harbourer, the PRC immigration offenders were referred to Police for further investigations.
4 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. Under the AVA’s Wholesome Meat and Fish Act, any person who uses any premises or permit any premises to be used as a processing establishment is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.
5 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. VERIFI can be accessed through ICA’s internet website: http://www.ica.gov.sg and allows users to receive an instantaneous reply on the validity of the immigration passes presented to them. Similarly, MOM has a system to allow the checking on the validity of work passes at its website: http://www.mom.gov.sg. Everyone has a part to play in keeping Singapore safe and secure. We urge members of public with information regarding immigration offenders to call ICA at Tel: 1800-391 6150 or contact the Police.
6 AVA would also like to remind the public that only cooked meat and seafood, including cockles should be consumed. An inherent level of risk is involved in consuming uncooked or half cooked food. Cockle meat, in particular, must be well-cooked before consumption. Cockles pose a higher risk as they are filter feeders and contain food poisoning organisms. Whenever possible, all food should be thoroughly cooked before consumption. Cooking kills bacteria, viruses and other food poisoning organisms.