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