In case you are under the impression that the P.U.S.S in boot refers to the ogre-slaying cat, and that the feline resident from fairytale land has lost one of his boots at Woodlands Checkpoint, we are referring to the People Undertaking Secret Slip-away (P.U.S.S) who had attempted to depart illegally from Singapore by hiding in a car boot this morning. On 16 Jun 04 at 0015 hours, four immigration offenders (IOs) and their Malaysian driver found that our Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at Woodlands Checkpoint maintained their vigilance 24/7. The four IOs were hiding in the car boot of the Malaysia-registered car driven by a male Malaysian driver.

2 Our ICA officers stopped the car at the Departure Car Bay at Woodlands Checkpoint for a check when they found three women and one man hiding in the boot of the car. The driver and the four persons were immediately placed under arrest. The car was also seized.

3 Preliminary investigations revealed that the three female IOs, with ages ranging from 22 to 40, were from Thailand. The only male IO, aged 32 was from Myanmar. Investigations revealed that the 26-year old driver was approached by a male Indian in Malaysia to convey IOs out of Singapore illegally. He claimed that the male Indian promised him RM$400 for each successful trip he made.

4 Immigration & Checkpoints Authority takes a serious view of attempts by foreigners to enter or depart from Singapore illegally. Security checks on passengers and vehicles at all checkpoints have been stepped up. Under the Immigration Act (Cap 133), the smuggler faces a mandatory jail term of up to 5 years plus a minimum of 3 strokes of the cane. The penalties for overstaying or illegal entry are a jail term of up to six months plus a minimum of three strokes of the cane.
END OF NEWS RELEASE

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
16 Jun 2004