If the seers in Troy could see into the future and witness the MOBIX's (mobile x-ray machines) role in foiling yet another attempt to smuggle illegal discs into Singapore, they would have wished that the Trojans had procured the MOBIX too. And there would then be no way the Grecian soldiers could sneak into Troy by hiding in the Trojan Horse without detection.

2 On 19 Jun 04 at 1550 hours, experienced ICA officers noticed that the driver of a Malaysian-registered van appeared nervous at the Woodlands Checkpoint Arrival Bus Bay. The van was escorted to the MOBIX screening area and the officers' suspicions were confirmed when the images taken of the van revealed that there was a secret compartment underneath the floorboard of the van.

3 The 25- year old male Malaysian driver was very uncooperative and would not reveal the opening of the secret compartment. Our officers drilled a hole in the floorboard and used a fibrescope to look at the contents in the secret compartment. When it was confirmed that there were discs hidden in the compartment, the floorboard was pried open using two crowbars and 4,610 pieces of uncensored/ obscene discs were found. The driver was immediately placed under arrest and the vehicle seized.

4 The value of the exhibits is estimated to have a street value of about S$5,600/-. The case has been referred to Singapore Police Force for further investigation.

5 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.


END OF NEWS RELEASE

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
21 Jun 2004