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Discs Smuggler vs. Cigarettes Conveyor
Uncensored/Obscene Discs Smuggler
On 25 Aug 04 at 0940 hours, experienced ICA officers noticed that the 41- year old driver of a Malaysian-registered van appeared nervous at the Woodlands Checkpoint Arrival Bus Bay. The officers' suspicions were aroused and a thorough check was conducted on the van. Their efforts paid off when they discovered a secret compartment under the passenger seats at the back of the van.
2 The secret compartment was opened and 9,275 pieces of uncensored discs (of which 3,455 are obscene) were found in the compartment. The driver, a work permit holder in Singapore was immediately placed under arrest and the vehicle seized. He was allegedly promised RM300 to deliver the uncensored discs to Ang Mo Kio. The case has been referred to Singapore Police Force for further investigation.
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 distributing uncensored films are liable to a fine not less than $500/- for each film (or up to a maximum fine of $40,000/-), and/or to a jail term up to 6 months.
Duty-Unpaid Cigarettes Conveyor
4 Less than 24 hours later, at 0520 hours on 26 Aug 04, another Malaysian-registered van drove into Singapore through the Woodlands checkpoint. An ICA officer asked the Malaysian Chinese driver some questions and suspected that something was amiss from the driver's replies. The alert officer conducted a thorough check and discovered the secret compartment in the undercarriage of the van. Our officers pried a small opening and when they could see hidden items in the secret compartment, they pry open the whole compartment.
5 There were 290 cartons of assorted brand duty-unpaid cigarettes packed into 26 cardboard boxes in the secret compartment. The 26-year old driver male driver was immediately placed under arrest and the vehicle seized. He was allegedly promised RM2200 to provide such delivery services. The estimated value for the cigarettes is S$5,700 and the customs duty and GST involved is estimated at S$17,000 and S$1130 respectively. The case has been referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation.
6 If found guilty of smuggling duty-unpaid cigarettes, the offenders could be fined up to a maximum of 20 times the amount of customs duties and Goods & Services Tax involved.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
26 Aug 2004
On 25 Aug 04 at 0940 hours, experienced ICA officers noticed that the 41- year old driver of a Malaysian-registered van appeared nervous at the Woodlands Checkpoint Arrival Bus Bay. The officers' suspicions were aroused and a thorough check was conducted on the van. Their efforts paid off when they discovered a secret compartment under the passenger seats at the back of the van.
2 The secret compartment was opened and 9,275 pieces of uncensored discs (of which 3,455 are obscene) were found in the compartment. The driver, a work permit holder in Singapore was immediately placed under arrest and the vehicle seized. He was allegedly promised RM300 to deliver the uncensored discs to Ang Mo Kio. The case has been referred to Singapore Police Force for further investigation.
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 distributing uncensored films are liable to a fine not less than $500/- for each film (or up to a maximum fine of $40,000/-), and/or to a jail term up to 6 months.
Duty-Unpaid Cigarettes Conveyor
4 Less than 24 hours later, at 0520 hours on 26 Aug 04, another Malaysian-registered van drove into Singapore through the Woodlands checkpoint. An ICA officer asked the Malaysian Chinese driver some questions and suspected that something was amiss from the driver's replies. The alert officer conducted a thorough check and discovered the secret compartment in the undercarriage of the van. Our officers pried a small opening and when they could see hidden items in the secret compartment, they pry open the whole compartment.
5 There were 290 cartons of assorted brand duty-unpaid cigarettes packed into 26 cardboard boxes in the secret compartment. The 26-year old driver male driver was immediately placed under arrest and the vehicle seized. He was allegedly promised RM2200 to provide such delivery services. The estimated value for the cigarettes is S$5,700 and the customs duty and GST involved is estimated at S$17,000 and S$1130 respectively. The case has been referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation.
6 If found guilty of smuggling duty-unpaid cigarettes, the offenders could be fined up to a maximum of 20 times the amount of customs duties and Goods & Services Tax involved.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
26 Aug 2004