The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) successfully intercepted a 37-year-old Singaporean man who attempted to evade further security checks following his arrival immigration clearance at Woodlands Checkpoint.

2.          On 7 April 2026, at about 6:36am, the man had cleared arrival immigration at the bus hall of Woodlands Checkpoint and was directed for further checks by a security screening officer who had suspected him to be concealing items in his pants. After placing his bags for X-ray screening, the man was about to undergo a physical pat-down inspection when he fled the bus hall with his belongings before the checks could be completed.

3.          ICA officers were immediately alerted and successfully intercepted the man within the checkpoint premises. A subsequent search of the man and his belongings uncovered five packs of duty-unpaid cigarettes. The man was arrested by ICA officers and subsequently referred to the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Singapore Customs for further investigations. He will be charged in court on 8 April 2026 for failing to comply with an authorised officer’s request for inspection under Section 28(2) of the Infrastructure Protection Act 2017. The offence carries a fine not exceeding $20,000 or an imprisonment term not exceeding two years, or both.  The duty-unpaid cigarettes were seized and handed over to Singapore Customs for follow-up investigations.

4.          ICA takes a serious view of attempts to evade security checks at our checkpoints and will remain vigilant to safeguard Singapore’s borders. Travellers are required to comply with officers’ instructions when at the checkpoints. The SPF takes a similarly serious view of non-compliance with security procedures at protected areas. Those who fail to do so will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE

7 APRIL 2026