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SATC'- ICA's Two-Episode Special
The drama series 'Sex And The City' (also known as SATC to its fans) may have ended its run, but the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority's (ICA) version of SATC (Smuggling Attempt Thwarted at Checkpoint) is still going strong. In fact, we had a two-episode special on Friday evening at the Woodlands Checkpoint.
Case 1
2. On 24 June 2004 at about 4.05pm, ICA officers singled out a Malaysian-registered Ford Laser for a thorough check. In the course of the check, the officers observed that the interior of the car appeared to have gone through some modifications. The officers proceeded to knock on the rear of the car to check for hidden compartments. Indeed, the solid sound suggested that further checks were necessary.
3. The car was then directed to undergo a 100 per cent check, where 430 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes of assorted brands were found in hidden in both the left and right rear panels of the car. The driver, a 49 year-old male Malaysian admitted ownership of the cigarettes detected.
4. Further investigation revealed that the driver was promised a sum of RM300 if he was successful in smuggling the cigarettes into Singapore. The total estimated duty and GST payable for the cigarettes are S$3,027.20 and S$193.50 respectively.
Case 2
5. Four hours later, at 8.10pm, a Singapore-registered motorcycle ridden by a 36 year-old male Malaysian was stopped for a thorough check. Some packets of cigarettes were discovered in the air filter of the motorcycle.
6. Upon the initial discovery of the cigarettes by our alert officer, the motorcyclist decided to come clean and admitted to have hidden 40 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in various parts of the motorbike. Our final findings tallied with what the motorcyclist had said. The motorcyclist also told our officer that he had intended to sell the cigarettes at S$5 per packet to his friends in Singapore. The total estimated duty and GST payable are S$295.68 and S$18.00 respectively.
7. The cases were referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation. If found guilty, the offenders could be fined up to a maximum of 20 times the amount of customs duties and Goods & Services Tax involved.
8. 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. We would like to advise the public against smuggling unlawful goods into Singapore.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
27 June 2005
Case 1
2. On 24 June 2004 at about 4.05pm, ICA officers singled out a Malaysian-registered Ford Laser for a thorough check. In the course of the check, the officers observed that the interior of the car appeared to have gone through some modifications. The officers proceeded to knock on the rear of the car to check for hidden compartments. Indeed, the solid sound suggested that further checks were necessary.
3. The car was then directed to undergo a 100 per cent check, where 430 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes of assorted brands were found in hidden in both the left and right rear panels of the car. The driver, a 49 year-old male Malaysian admitted ownership of the cigarettes detected.
4. Further investigation revealed that the driver was promised a sum of RM300 if he was successful in smuggling the cigarettes into Singapore. The total estimated duty and GST payable for the cigarettes are S$3,027.20 and S$193.50 respectively.
Case 2
5. Four hours later, at 8.10pm, a Singapore-registered motorcycle ridden by a 36 year-old male Malaysian was stopped for a thorough check. Some packets of cigarettes were discovered in the air filter of the motorcycle.
6. Upon the initial discovery of the cigarettes by our alert officer, the motorcyclist decided to come clean and admitted to have hidden 40 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in various parts of the motorbike. Our final findings tallied with what the motorcyclist had said. The motorcyclist also told our officer that he had intended to sell the cigarettes at S$5 per packet to his friends in Singapore. The total estimated duty and GST payable are S$295.68 and S$18.00 respectively.
7. The cases were referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation. If found guilty, the offenders could be fined up to a maximum of 20 times the amount of customs duties and Goods & Services Tax involved.
8. 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. We would like to advise the public against smuggling unlawful goods into Singapore.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
27 June 2005