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Guardians of Our Gateway
GUARDIANS OF OUR GATEWAY
ICA is ready for S2006
The guardians of Singapore's gateway, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has tightened its security checks at the checkpoints in the run-up to Singapore 2006 (S2006).
2 Given the current security climate, ICA has taken the necessary steps to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, weapons, explosives and other security items that may compromise the safety of
Singapore. Our priority is to ensure the safety and security of our residents, visitors and delegates attending the event
3 "Our officers maintain a high level of vigilance at the checkpoints. They are trained to look out for irregularities in travel documents and travellers bearing false identities. To ensure that they stay alert and vigilant, we conduct regular intrusion exercises at the checkpoints involving officers role-playing an impersonator using another person's travel document, or placing mock improvised explosive devices in their baggage," said Mr Bhopinder Singh, Director (Operations), ICA.
4 ICA officers are also ably assisted by technology to detect security items and other contraband hidden in luggage and vehicles. To this end, ICA has boosted its counterterrorism capabilities by acquiring portable equipment to detect the presence of explosives, radiation and chemical warfare agents at the land, sea and air checkpoints. A recent addition to the arsenal of radiographic scanners at the checkpoints is the Z Backscatter Van. The mobile Z Backscatter Van, as with other radiographic scanners, allows us to scan vehicles for hidden security items and other contraband items. Its mobility is an added advantage, as it allows for the quick deployment of the scanner at other checkpoints on short notice.
Smuggling of Security Items, Contraband and Illegal Goods
5 Our stepped-up checks at the checkpoints have yielded results. Between January to June 2006, ICA detected about 10,400 cases of contraband and illegal goods being imported into Singapore, compared to the 7,000 cases over the same period in 2005. The 10,400 smuggling cases detected included 492 smuggling cases involving security items. The security items detected included gun replicas, stun guns and swords. Other smuggling cases detected include the smuggling of contraband cigarettes and illegal optical discs.
Total number of contraband-smuggling cases detected
Jan- Jun 2005 7,000
Jan- Jun 2006 10,400
468% jump in number of cigarette packets seized
6 The number of contraband cigarette smuggling cases detected rose from 3,500 in Jan-Jun 05 to 5,300 in Jan-Jun 06. The number of cigarette packets seized also increased from about 122,000 to 693,000 packets - a whopping increase of 468%.
Total number of cigarette smuggling cases detected
Jan- Jun 2005 3,500
Jan- Jun 2006 5,300
Total number of cigarette packets seized
Jan- Jun 2005 122,000
Jan- Jun 2006 693,000
38% increase in illegal disc smuggling
7 There was an increase in the number of illegal disc smuggling cases detected in the first six months of 2006, from 260 in Jan-Jun 05 to 360 cases in Jan-Jun 06. The number of discs seized increased by a larger proportionate from 29,000 to 60,000.
Total number of illegal disc smuggling cases detected
Jan- Jun 2005 260
Jan- Jun 2006 360
Total number of illegal discs seized
Jan- Jun 2005 29,000
Jan- Jun 2006 60,000
33% drop in vehicles seized
8 Thanks to the enhanced checks at the land checkpoints, smugglers are now less willing to undertake conveyances. Hence, the number of vehicles seized for conveying immigration offenders registered a 33% drop from 3 in Jan-Jun 05 to 2 in Jan-Jun 06.
Total number of vehicles seized
Jan- Jun 2005 3
Jan- Jun 2006 2
Immigration offender situation
Immigration offenders detected at checkpoints
9 The overall immigration offender situation registered an improvement in the first half of 2006. The number of immigration offenders arrested at the checkpoints saw an increase of 40% from 520 for the period Jan-Jun 05 to 730 in the same period in 2006.
Total number of immigration offenders arrested at checkpoints
Jan- Jun 2005 520
Jan- Jun 2006 730
Illegal immigrants and overstayers
10 Enhanced enforcement actions and security checks have effectively deterred the number of illegal immigrants attempting entry into Singapore. In Jan-Jun 06, a total of 1,900 illegal immigrants were arrested, compared to the 2,500 illegal immigrants who were caught during the same period in 2005. The number of overstayers arrested also dropped, registering a 19% fall from 3,100 in Jan-Jun 05 to 2,500 in Jan-Jun 06.
Total number of illegal immigrants arrested
Jan- Jun 2005 2,500
Jan- Jun 2006 1,900
Total number of overstayers arrested
Jan- Jun 2005 3,100
Jan- Jun 2006 2,500
[Note: The above figures are inclusive of the number of immigration offenders arrested at the checkpoints.]
11 ICA will be stepping up its efforts to ensure overstayers will face the full extent of the laws.
Harbourers and Employers of immigration offenders
12 Both harbourers and employers of immigration offenders saw an increase in numbers. For the first half of 2006, 100 persons were arrested for harbouring and 90 were arrested for illegal employment.
Total number of harbourers arrested
Jan- Jun 2005 80
Jan- Jun 2006 100
Total number of employers arrested
Jan- Jun 2005 80
Jan- Jun 2006 90
Would-be Offenders and Smugglers Have Better Think Twice!
13 ICA remains highly committed in ensuring that the intensified checks at the checkpoints, our enforcement initiatives islandwide, as well as our enhanced technology capabilities continue to yield positive results. We will continue to ensure that our officers perform their duties with a high level vigilance and professionalism, so as to make Singapore a safe and secure best home. Would-be offenders and smugglers have better think twice about trying to enter Singapore illegally or smuggle unlawful goods into Singapore.
ICA is ready for S2006
The guardians of Singapore's gateway, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has tightened its security checks at the checkpoints in the run-up to Singapore 2006 (S2006).
2 Given the current security climate, ICA has taken the necessary steps to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, weapons, explosives and other security items that may compromise the safety of
Singapore. Our priority is to ensure the safety and security of our residents, visitors and delegates attending the event
3 "Our officers maintain a high level of vigilance at the checkpoints. They are trained to look out for irregularities in travel documents and travellers bearing false identities. To ensure that they stay alert and vigilant, we conduct regular intrusion exercises at the checkpoints involving officers role-playing an impersonator using another person's travel document, or placing mock improvised explosive devices in their baggage," said Mr Bhopinder Singh, Director (Operations), ICA.
4 ICA officers are also ably assisted by technology to detect security items and other contraband hidden in luggage and vehicles. To this end, ICA has boosted its counterterrorism capabilities by acquiring portable equipment to detect the presence of explosives, radiation and chemical warfare agents at the land, sea and air checkpoints. A recent addition to the arsenal of radiographic scanners at the checkpoints is the Z Backscatter Van. The mobile Z Backscatter Van, as with other radiographic scanners, allows us to scan vehicles for hidden security items and other contraband items. Its mobility is an added advantage, as it allows for the quick deployment of the scanner at other checkpoints on short notice.
Smuggling of Security Items, Contraband and Illegal Goods
5 Our stepped-up checks at the checkpoints have yielded results. Between January to June 2006, ICA detected about 10,400 cases of contraband and illegal goods being imported into Singapore, compared to the 7,000 cases over the same period in 2005. The 10,400 smuggling cases detected included 492 smuggling cases involving security items. The security items detected included gun replicas, stun guns and swords. Other smuggling cases detected include the smuggling of contraband cigarettes and illegal optical discs.
Total number of contraband-smuggling cases detected
Jan- Jun 2005 7,000
Jan- Jun 2006 10,400
468% jump in number of cigarette packets seized
6 The number of contraband cigarette smuggling cases detected rose from 3,500 in Jan-Jun 05 to 5,300 in Jan-Jun 06. The number of cigarette packets seized also increased from about 122,000 to 693,000 packets - a whopping increase of 468%.
Total number of cigarette smuggling cases detected
Jan- Jun 2005 3,500
Jan- Jun 2006 5,300
Total number of cigarette packets seized
Jan- Jun 2005 122,000
Jan- Jun 2006 693,000
38% increase in illegal disc smuggling
7 There was an increase in the number of illegal disc smuggling cases detected in the first six months of 2006, from 260 in Jan-Jun 05 to 360 cases in Jan-Jun 06. The number of discs seized increased by a larger proportionate from 29,000 to 60,000.
Total number of illegal disc smuggling cases detected
Jan- Jun 2005 260
Jan- Jun 2006 360
Total number of illegal discs seized
Jan- Jun 2005 29,000
Jan- Jun 2006 60,000
33% drop in vehicles seized
8 Thanks to the enhanced checks at the land checkpoints, smugglers are now less willing to undertake conveyances. Hence, the number of vehicles seized for conveying immigration offenders registered a 33% drop from 3 in Jan-Jun 05 to 2 in Jan-Jun 06.
Total number of vehicles seized
Jan- Jun 2005 3
Jan- Jun 2006 2
Immigration offender situation
Immigration offenders detected at checkpoints
9 The overall immigration offender situation registered an improvement in the first half of 2006. The number of immigration offenders arrested at the checkpoints saw an increase of 40% from 520 for the period Jan-Jun 05 to 730 in the same period in 2006.
Total number of immigration offenders arrested at checkpoints
Jan- Jun 2005 520
Jan- Jun 2006 730
Illegal immigrants and overstayers
10 Enhanced enforcement actions and security checks have effectively deterred the number of illegal immigrants attempting entry into Singapore. In Jan-Jun 06, a total of 1,900 illegal immigrants were arrested, compared to the 2,500 illegal immigrants who were caught during the same period in 2005. The number of overstayers arrested also dropped, registering a 19% fall from 3,100 in Jan-Jun 05 to 2,500 in Jan-Jun 06.
Total number of illegal immigrants arrested
Jan- Jun 2005 2,500
Jan- Jun 2006 1,900
Total number of overstayers arrested
Jan- Jun 2005 3,100
Jan- Jun 2006 2,500
[Note: The above figures are inclusive of the number of immigration offenders arrested at the checkpoints.]
11 ICA will be stepping up its efforts to ensure overstayers will face the full extent of the laws.
Harbourers and Employers of immigration offenders
12 Both harbourers and employers of immigration offenders saw an increase in numbers. For the first half of 2006, 100 persons were arrested for harbouring and 90 were arrested for illegal employment.
Total number of harbourers arrested
Jan- Jun 2005 80
Jan- Jun 2006 100
Total number of employers arrested
Jan- Jun 2005 80
Jan- Jun 2006 90
Would-be Offenders and Smugglers Have Better Think Twice!
13 ICA remains highly committed in ensuring that the intensified checks at the checkpoints, our enforcement initiatives islandwide, as well as our enhanced technology capabilities continue to yield positive results. We will continue to ensure that our officers perform their duties with a high level vigilance and professionalism, so as to make Singapore a safe and secure best home. Would-be offenders and smugglers have better think twice about trying to enter Singapore illegally or smuggle unlawful goods into Singapore.