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Illegal Disc Smugglers intercepted, Checked and Arrested by ICA
The smugglers who thought that by taking the green lane for cars at the Woodlands Checkpoint would mean that Inspections and Checks can be Avoided must have found themselves in a rude shock when they were instead Intercepted, Checked and Arrested.
2. On 14 July 2004 at 0825 hours, our vigilant immigration officers singled out a Malaysian-registered car at the Arrival Car Green Channel for a 100% inspection. During the course of the check, the officers discovered that stashed away in a secret compartment were 1,042 pieces of suspected obscene, uncensored VCDs/DVDs/CDs. The driver and his passenger were immediately placed under arrest, and the car was seized. When questioned, the driver claimed that the car belonged to his friend and he was helping his friend with the delivery. In return for his services, his friend would pay him RM$300. The two men, the car and the discs have been handed over to the Singapore Police Force for follow-up action.
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.
4. ICA has tightened 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 warn the public to think twice before they attempt to smuggle unlawful goods illegally into Singapore as our officers at the checkpoints maintain a high level of vigilance at all times and are trained to profile potential offenders.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
14 July 2004
2. On 14 July 2004 at 0825 hours, our vigilant immigration officers singled out a Malaysian-registered car at the Arrival Car Green Channel for a 100% inspection. During the course of the check, the officers discovered that stashed away in a secret compartment were 1,042 pieces of suspected obscene, uncensored VCDs/DVDs/CDs. The driver and his passenger were immediately placed under arrest, and the car was seized. When questioned, the driver claimed that the car belonged to his friend and he was helping his friend with the delivery. In return for his services, his friend would pay him RM$300. The two men, the car and the discs have been handed over to the Singapore Police Force for follow-up action.
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.
4. ICA has tightened 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 warn the public to think twice before they attempt to smuggle unlawful goods illegally into Singapore as our officers at the checkpoints maintain a high level of vigilance at all times and are trained to profile potential offenders.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
14 July 2004