Latest news with #ICA
The Star
12 minutes ago
- The Star
2,400 vapes, related components found in Singapore-bound lorry at Tuas Checkpoint
The lorry was carrying cargo declared as precast products. - Photos: IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY/FACEBOOK SINGAPORE: A total of 2,400 units of vapes and their related components were found on a lorry entering Singapore at Tuas Checkpoint on Tuesday (July 29). In a statement on Facebook on July 30, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said it foiled the smuggling attempt made via a Malaysia-registered lorry. The lorry was carrying cargo declared as precast products. Based on information received by ICA's Integrated Targeting Centre (ITC), ICA officers directed the vehicle for enhanced checks. The vapes and related components were found hidden inside the lidded compartment of a flat plate, which was on top of the trailer chassis. A chassis is an undercarriage structure that supports a vehicle's other components, such as the engine and wheels. The case was referred to the Health Sciences Authority for further investigation. The ITC is a new unit under ICA that uses data analytics to identify high-risk foreigners before their arrival. These foreigners are flagged for more stringent checks at immigration. A total of 33,100 foreigners were denied entry in 2024 after being found to pose immigration or security risks to the nation, according to figures released in February. From January 2024 to March 2025, HSA seized $41 million worth of vapes – nearly fivefold the reported value of vapes seized from 2019 to end-2023, according to numbers compiled by The Straits Times. The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Home Affairs said in a joint statement on July 12 that they are looking at enhancing laws around vaping. On July 20, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said that both ministries are working together to list etomidate, which is increasingly being abused through vapes, under the Misuse of Drugs Act. With etomidate listed as a Class C drug under the Act, the authorities will be able to take tougher actions against suppliers and users of vapes with the drug. Since July 21, HSA has extended operating hours for its Tobacco Regulation Branch hotline on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 to report vaping-related offences. The hotline operates from 9am to 9pm daily, including on public holidays. HSA has also launched a new online portal to report vaping-related offences at - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
2,400 vapes, related components found in Singapore-bound lorry at Tuas Checkpoint
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The lorry was carrying cargo declared as precast products. SINGAPORE - A total of 2,400 units of vapes and their related components were found on a lorry entering Singapore at the Tuas Checkpoint on July 29. In a statement on Facebook on July 30, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said that it foiled the smuggling attempt made via a Malaysia-registered lorry. The lorry was carrying cargo declared as precast products. Based on information received by ICA's Integrated Targeting Centre (ITC), ICA officers directed the vehicle for enhanced checks. The vapes and related components were then found hidden inside the lidded compartment of a flat plate, which was on top of the trailer chassis. A chassis is an undercarriage structure that supports the vehicle's other components, such as the engine and wheels. The case was referred to the Health Sciences Authority for further investigation. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Water supply issues during Toa Payoh blaze affected firefighting operations; SCDF investigating Singapore MHA to support HSA's crackdown on Kpod abusers and help in treatment of offenders: Shanmugam Singapore Tampines, Toa Payoh BTO flats most popular among first-time home buyers in July HDB launch Sport Leon Marchand sets first world record at World Aquatics C'ships in Singapore Singapore Jail, fine for man linked to case involving 3 bank accounts that received over $680m in total Singapore Provision shop owner who raped 11-year-old gets more than 14 years' jail Singapore School, parents on alert after vape peddlers approach primary school pupil Singapore Escape, discover, connect: Where new memories are made The ITC is a new unit under ICA which analyses collected facial and iris biometrics data , using data analytics to identify high-risk foreigners before their arrival. These foreigners are then flagged for more stringent checks at immigration. A total of 33,100 foreigners were denied entry in 2024 after being found to pose immigration or security risks to the nation, according to figures released in February. From January 2024 to March 2025, HSA seized $41 million worth of vapes – nearly fivefold the reported value of vapes seized from 2019 to end-2023, according to numbers compiled by The Straits Times. The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Home Affairs said in a joint statement on July 12 that they are looking at enhancing laws around vaping . On July 20, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said that both ministries are also working together to list etomidate , which is increasingly being abused through vapes, under the Misuse of Drugs Act. With etomidate listed as a Class C drug under the Act, the authorities will be able to take tougher actions against suppliers and users of vapes with the drug. Since July 21, HSA has extended the operating hours for its Tobacco Regulation Branch hotline on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 to report vaping-related offences.
Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Singapore immigration officer pleads guilty to sexually abusing 6 Indian nationals for extending stay
AP An Indian-origin officer with the Singapore immigration department has pleaded guilty to accepting bribes in the form of sexual favours from six Indian nationals in exchange for facilitating their short-term visit pass applications to extend their stay in the city-state, according to a media report on Tuesday. Kannan Morice Rajagopal Jayaram, 55, who was serving as an inspector in Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), committed the offences between 2022 and 2023, The Straits Times reported. He pleaded guilty on Monday to three corruption charges, each involving an Indian national. Another three similar charges involving three other Indian men, aged between 25 and 30 years, will be considered during his sentencing, which is scheduled for August 18, 2025, the report said. Jayaram, as an ICA inspector, used to oversee a team responsible for processing visa extension requests. According to court documents, while officers followed ICA guidelines, they had discretion to grant or deny extensions based on individual circumstances. Jayaram allegedly exploited his position by targeting vulnerable applicants, including a 26-year-old Indian man, who sought to remain in Singapore for studies. He ensured the man's visa extension in exchange for sexual favours. Jayaram allegedly committed similar acts with six other Indian nationals. He was charged in 2023 and has been suspended from duty since April that year, according to ICA. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Jane St: How an options trader smelt a rat when others raised a toast Regulators promote exchanges; can they stifle one? Watch IEX TCS job cuts may not stop at 12,000; its bench policy threatens more From near bankruptcy to blockbuster drug: How Khorakiwala turned around Wockhardt Stock Radar: SBI Life rebounds after testing 50-DEMA; could hit fresh record highs above Rs 2,000 – check target & stop loss These 10 banking stocks can give more than 25% returns in 1 year, according to analysts Two Trades for Today: A metals stock for an over 6% gain, a large-cap chemicals maker for about 7% upmove F&O Radar| Deploy Broken Wing in LIC Housing Finance to benefit from bearish outlook
Epoch Times
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Epoch Times
5 Revelations From the Newly Declassified Russia Records
The Trump administration released three batches of records in July that shed new light on the decade-long controversy over Russia's alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential election. The three lots of records concern the creation, at the behest of President Barack Obama, of an intelligence community assessment (ICA) that featured an allegation that Russian President Vladimir Putin interfered in the presidential election in order to help then-candidate Donald Trump.
Straits Times
18 hours ago
- Straits Times
Forum: ICA constantly reviews checkpoint operations to enhance traveller experience
We refer to Forum writer Ng Sung Nang's letter ' Improve overall commuter experience at Tuas Checkpoint ' (July 14). The Bus Information Display System was installed at Tuas Checkpoint in 2018 to help travellers locate their buses for re-boarding post-immigration. Immigration clearance then was manual, and it could take as long as 40 minutes for bus travellers to clear immigration during peak hours. Buses would be waiting at the boarding area for travellers to re-board their bus. With the implementation of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority's New Clearance Concept, automated immigration clearance is now the norm for all travellers. The time taken for bus travellers to clear immigration during peak hours has dropped significantly to around 10 minutes. As a result, travellers now arrive at the bus boarding area much earlier than the buses. There are no longer many buses parked at the bus bay waiting for travellers to re-board. As travellers no longer need to refer to the Bus Information Display System to locate their buses, we reviewed the need for the system and decommissioned it in February. Work is in progress to dismantle the display boards. We thank Mr Ng for the feedback, and assure the public that ICA constantly reviews our operations to improve the traveller experience at all our checkpoints. Patrick Ong Deputy Director, Corporate Communications Corporate Communications and Service Division Immigration and Checkpoints Authority
