In the evening of 5 August 2023, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers foiled an attempt to smuggle about 4,723g of heroin in a Malaysia-registered car arriving at the Woodlands Checkpoint.

2.          When ICA officers conducted checks on the car, they detected a haversack in the car boot. A big bundle believed to contain controlled drugs was found. Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) officers were immediately alerted to the detection. Ten individual bundles of heroin weighing a total of about 4,723g were uncovered from the big bundle. A 22-year-old male Malaysian who was travelling in the car was subsequently arrested for suspected drug offences. The seizure of 4,723g of heroin, with an estimated value of more than $331,400, can feed the addiction of about 2,240 abusers for a week. Investigations into the drug activities of the arrested suspect are ongoing.

3.          Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore’s security. ICA will continue to work with CNB to prevent attempts to smuggle drugs across our borders. ICA will also continue to conduct security checks at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle undesirable persons, weapons, explosives and other contrabands across our borders.

More than 180kg of illegally imported assorted food products were seized. (Photo: SFA)

4.          In Singapore, food imports must meet SFA’s requirements. Illegally imported food products of unknown sources can pose a food safety risk. Food can only be imported by licensed importers, and every consignment must be declared and accompanied with a valid import permit. In addition, meat and its products can only be imported from accredited sources in approved countries that comply with our food safety standards and requirements.

5.          Offenders who import meat and fish products illegally from unapproved sources or found in possession of meat and fish products for the purpose of selling, which were imported without an import licence shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not exceeding $50,000 and/or imprisonment of up to two years. In the case of a subsequent conviction, offenders shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $100,000 and/or imprisonment of up to three years.

6.          Safeguarding Singapore’s borders remains ICA’s top priority. ICA will continue to conduct security checks to detect and deter illegal importation attempts to keep Singapore safe. SFA will continue to safeguard food safety through our integrated food safety system, which includes strict import regulations and enforcement, and work closely with border control agencies to deter illegal import across our borders.

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
SINGAPORE FOOD AGENCY
10 AUGUST 2023