Back to top
Labouring in Vain
A Malaysian 'laboured in vain' on 1 May 05 when his attempt to smuggle illegal discs into Singapore was foiled by ICA officers at Woodlands Checkpoint.
2 At around 2030 hours, the 27-year-old Malaysian was driving his Malaysia-registered car through Woodlands Checkpoint when he was stopped by an ICA officer for a routine check. He appeared very nervous and was unable to open the car bonnet when instructed to do so. Sensing something amiss, our Task Force officers were deployed to conduct a thorough check on the driver and his car. In the course of the check, the officers detected about 2,600 pieces of discs suspected to be obscene and uncensored hidden in a modified fuel tank located under the rear passenger seat. The driver was immediately placed under arrest and the vehicle seized.
3 Preliminary investigation revealed that the driver had agreed to deliver the illegal discs for his Malaysian flatmate, a 20-year-old Chinese, as a favour for helping him in a fight earlier on. He was also found to have driven the car without a driving licence. The case has been referred 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. 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
5 ICA has 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. In the last one year, we have detected more than 18,000 cases of contraband and illegal goods being imported into Singapore. The cases include offensive weapons, duty-unpaid cigarettes, obscene VCDs, meat products as well as endangered species in wild fauna and flora such as star tortoises and hard corals. We would like to advise the public against smuggling unlawful goods into Singapore.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
3 May 2005
2 At around 2030 hours, the 27-year-old Malaysian was driving his Malaysia-registered car through Woodlands Checkpoint when he was stopped by an ICA officer for a routine check. He appeared very nervous and was unable to open the car bonnet when instructed to do so. Sensing something amiss, our Task Force officers were deployed to conduct a thorough check on the driver and his car. In the course of the check, the officers detected about 2,600 pieces of discs suspected to be obscene and uncensored hidden in a modified fuel tank located under the rear passenger seat. The driver was immediately placed under arrest and the vehicle seized.
3 Preliminary investigation revealed that the driver had agreed to deliver the illegal discs for his Malaysian flatmate, a 20-year-old Chinese, as a favour for helping him in a fight earlier on. He was also found to have driven the car without a driving licence. The case has been referred 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. 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
5 ICA has 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. In the last one year, we have detected more than 18,000 cases of contraband and illegal goods being imported into Singapore. The cases include offensive weapons, duty-unpaid cigarettes, obscene VCDs, meat products as well as endangered species in wild fauna and flora such as star tortoises and hard corals. We would like to advise the public against smuggling unlawful goods into Singapore.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
3 May 2005