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Checkpoint Custodians Caught Conveyors of Cannabis, CDs and Contraband Cigarettes
As checkpoint custodians, ICA officers take their job seriously. The officers keep a close watch on vehicles and persons to prevent the smuggling of unlawful goods and persons through our checkpoints. Three persons were caught for trying to smuggle different contraband items through Woodlands Checkpoint on 14 and 15 August 2006. A Singaporean woman was caught for smuggling cannabis in her bra and diapers, a Malaysian man for smuggling uncensored discs and another Malaysian man for smuggling contraband cigarettes. The details of the three cases are as follows:
Case 1 : Woman wears diapers to smuggle drugs
2 The first case took place on 14 August 2006 at about 2015 hours. A Singaporean woman tried to smuggle in two packets of greenish substance by concealing them in the bra and diapers that she wore. The greenish substance was suspected to be cannabis. The 48-year-old woman's attempt was foiled by ICA officers who uncovered the contraband during a routine check on her at the Arrival Bus Hall. She was arrested and the case has been referred to the Central Narcotics Bureau for further investigation.
Case 2 : Man hides uncensored discs in secret compartments in van
3 At about 2330 hours on 14 Aug 2006, a van driven by a Malaysian man was stopped at Woodlands Checkpoint for a routine check. In the course of the check, a total of 2,265 unlawful discs were found in the modified passenger seat and the right side body panel of the van. The 46-year-old Malaysian driver was immediately arrested. He admitted that he was promised RM300 for every successful delivery. The case was handed over to Police for further investigation.
4 Under 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.
Case 3 : Cigarettes among cushioned stools
5 On 15 August 2006 at about 0912 hours, ICA officers noted that the radiographic scan of a lorry's consignment did not tally with what was declared as cushioned stools and fabric. Further checks on the vehicle were then conducted. In the course of the checks, ICA officer suspected that there were items concealed within the cushions of the stools. When one of the stools was taken apart, 2 boxes each containing 50 cartons of cigarettes were uncovered. (There were 200 sticks of cigarettes in each carton.) Our officers then proceeded to check the entire consignment. All in all, 3,000 cartons each containing 200 sticks of cigarettes were detected. The Customs duties and GST payable were estimated to be S$211,200 and S$13,500 respectively. The driver, a 34-year-old Malaysian, was placed under arrest. The case was handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigation.
6 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.
Vigilance at all checkpoints
7 ICA will continue to remain vigilant, including and especially during the peak periods, as would-be offenders may take advantage of the peak period to try their luck in bringing unlawful goods into Singapore. 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 contraband items. We will like to advise travellers not to bring in unlawful/prohibited goods into Singapore, as this will inconvenience them and other checkpoint users. A (non-exhaustive) list of controlled and prohibited items can be found on the ICA website at http://www.ica.gov.sg under 'Travellers Information Guide'.
Case 1 : Woman wears diapers to smuggle drugs
2 The first case took place on 14 August 2006 at about 2015 hours. A Singaporean woman tried to smuggle in two packets of greenish substance by concealing them in the bra and diapers that she wore. The greenish substance was suspected to be cannabis. The 48-year-old woman's attempt was foiled by ICA officers who uncovered the contraband during a routine check on her at the Arrival Bus Hall. She was arrested and the case has been referred to the Central Narcotics Bureau for further investigation.
Case 2 : Man hides uncensored discs in secret compartments in van
3 At about 2330 hours on 14 Aug 2006, a van driven by a Malaysian man was stopped at Woodlands Checkpoint for a routine check. In the course of the check, a total of 2,265 unlawful discs were found in the modified passenger seat and the right side body panel of the van. The 46-year-old Malaysian driver was immediately arrested. He admitted that he was promised RM300 for every successful delivery. The case was handed over to Police for further investigation.
4 Under 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.
Case 3 : Cigarettes among cushioned stools
5 On 15 August 2006 at about 0912 hours, ICA officers noted that the radiographic scan of a lorry's consignment did not tally with what was declared as cushioned stools and fabric. Further checks on the vehicle were then conducted. In the course of the checks, ICA officer suspected that there were items concealed within the cushions of the stools. When one of the stools was taken apart, 2 boxes each containing 50 cartons of cigarettes were uncovered. (There were 200 sticks of cigarettes in each carton.) Our officers then proceeded to check the entire consignment. All in all, 3,000 cartons each containing 200 sticks of cigarettes were detected. The Customs duties and GST payable were estimated to be S$211,200 and S$13,500 respectively. The driver, a 34-year-old Malaysian, was placed under arrest. The case was handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigation.
6 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.
Vigilance at all checkpoints
7 ICA will continue to remain vigilant, including and especially during the peak periods, as would-be offenders may take advantage of the peak period to try their luck in bringing unlawful goods into Singapore. 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 contraband items. We will like to advise travellers not to bring in unlawful/prohibited goods into Singapore, as this will inconvenience them and other checkpoint users. A (non-exhaustive) list of controlled and prohibited items can be found on the ICA website at http://www.ica.gov.sg under 'Travellers Information Guide'.