3 arrested for attempting to smuggle immigration offender

[Danube]

3 arrested for attempting to smuggle immigration offender
Posted: 01 March 2013 1624 hrs

The woman who was found crouching in a car boot by ICA officers. (Photo: ICA)

SINGAPORE: Officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) foiled an attempt to smuggle an immigration offender out of Singapore.

On Thursday at about 1.15pm, ICA officers at the Woodlands Checkpoint directed a departing Malaysia-registered saloon car for a thorough check.

Both the driver and his co-driver were spotted behaving nervously as the officers examined the car.

Officers opened the car boot and found a woman crouching in there, sweating profusely.

The two Malaysian drivers, aged 21 and 22, together with the woman who claimed to be 34 years old and an Indian national, were immediately placed under arrest.

They are currently under investigation for the offences.

The vehicle they used has been detained and will be forfeited.

Under the Immigration Act, those who overstay or enter Singapore illegally can be sentenced to at least six months's jail and at least three strokes of the cane.

The penalties for illegal departure is a fine of up to S$2,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both.

The ICA said it has tightened its security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband products.

- CNA/xq

 

[KarJuaKoon]

ICA officers arrest two Malaysian nationals for trying to smuggle illegal immigrant out

The Straits Times
Friday, Mar 01, 2013

SINGAPORE - Two Malaysian men who allegedly tried to smuggle an Indian illegal immigrant out of Singapore in the boot of a car have been arrested by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.

Get the full story from The Straits Times.

The statement from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is reproduced below:

It is not uncommon for the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the land checkpoints to come into contact with all types of illicit items such as contraband cigarettes and controlled drugs everyday as they conduct checks on travellers and conveyances. Immigration offenders crouching in car boots are also a common sight. Perhaps, old tricks really die hard.

On 28 February 2013 at about 1.15pm, ICA officers at the Woodlands Checkpoint directed a departing Malaysia-registered saloon car for a thorough check. Both the driver and his co-driver were spotted behaving nervously as the officers examined the car. It did not take the officers long before they opened the car boot and "faced off" with a woman, sweating profusely in her crouched position. Modified rear seat of the innocuous-looking car

The two Malaysian drivers, aged 21 and 22, together with the woman who claimed to be 34 years old and an Indian national, were immediately placed under arrest. They are currently under investigation for the offences. The vehicle used in the commission of the offences has been detained and is liable for forfeiture.

The ICA takes a serious view of attempts to overstay, enter or depart Singapore illegally. Under the Immigration Act (Cap 133), 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, while the penalties for illegal departure is a fine of up to $2,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both.