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Can You Keep A Secret? Not At Woodlands!
A Malaysian man driving a van into Singapore had a secret – he had a secret cache of uncensored discs that he was trying to smuggle into Singapore in a secret compartment in his van. However, he realised that he could not keep any secrets from ICA when his smuggling attempt was foiled by ICA officers at Woodlands Checkpoint. A total of 6,527 pieces of illegal discs were found in the secret compartment of his van. This followed hot on the heels of another smuggling case detected at Woodlands* checkpoint involving a secret compartment in a vehicle.
2 On 24 Jan 06 at around 2025 hours, the 62-year-old Malaysian was driving his white Malaysia-registered van through Woodlands Checkpoint when he was stopped by an ICA officer for a routine check. He appeared very nervous as the two ICA officers were checking his van. Sensing something amiss, our Task Force officers conducted a thorough check on the driver and his van. In the course of the check, the officers detected and opened a secret compartment after removing the bumper in the presence of the driver. 16 brown boxes containing a total of 6,527 pieces of uncensored discs (of which 1,261 pieces were suspected to be obscene) were found hidden in the secret compartment. The driver was immediately placed under arrest and the vehicle seized.
3 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. 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.
4 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'.
2 On 24 Jan 06 at around 2025 hours, the 62-year-old Malaysian was driving his white Malaysia-registered van through Woodlands Checkpoint when he was stopped by an ICA officer for a routine check. He appeared very nervous as the two ICA officers were checking his van. Sensing something amiss, our Task Force officers conducted a thorough check on the driver and his van. In the course of the check, the officers detected and opened a secret compartment after removing the bumper in the presence of the driver. 16 brown boxes containing a total of 6,527 pieces of uncensored discs (of which 1,261 pieces were suspected to be obscene) were found hidden in the secret compartment. The driver was immediately placed under arrest and the vehicle seized.
3 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. 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.
4 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'.