China woman drowns while trying to enter Singapore
illegally
SINGAPORE: An attempt by two China nationals to enter
Singapore illegally late Monday night ended in tragedy when one of
them drowned.
Police said the two, a 39-year-old man and a woman
believed to be between 30 and 35 years old, had engaged a human
smuggling syndicate operating in Johor Bahru to smuggle them into
Singapore. It is believed each paid the syndicate about
S$3,000.
Just before midnight on Monday, the two were sent by a
speedboat to the waters off Pulau Ubin. They were about 50 metres
away from shore when they were told by the boatman to
alight.
The China nationals refused to get off, seeing they were
still some distance away from land. It is believed the boatman then
pushed the man and kicked the woman off the boat before speeding
back to Johor Bahru.
The man, who managed to swim to shore, was later arrested
by the Police Coast Guard.
The woman drowned. Her body was later recovered from the
waters off Pulau Ubin. No identity documents were found on
her.
Police said she was about 1.65m tall, of medium build and
had long hair and a fair complexion. She was wearing a pair of
black jackets and jeans.
The man will be charged in court on Wednesday. If
convicted, he could be jailed up to six months, given at least
three strokes of the cane and be fined up to S$6,000.
- CNA/ir
