Latest news with #Immigration&CheckpointsAuthority
AsiaOne
3 days ago
- AsiaOne
Over 170 travellers nabbed for evading GST, smuggling large sums of cash in island-wide operation, Singapore News
More than 170 travellers were caught across Singapore's land, air, and sea checkpoints for smuggling cash and evading tax payments on imported goods in a week-long multi-agency enforcement operation. Over 19,000 travellers and 1,600 vehicles were identified for the checks carried out from May 21 to May 27, according to a joint news release on Saturday (May 31). The operation involved the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), Singapore Customs (Customs), National Parks Board (NParks), and Health Sciences Authority (HSA). Among those held, 14 foreigners — aged between 26 and 77 — were nabbed for moving cash exceeding $20,000 or the equivalent in foreign currency into and out of Singapore without declaration or with inaccurate declaration. One of these cases on May 24 involved three male travellers who were separately detected moving cash of various currencies valued between $22,938 and $541,000 into or out of Singapore without declaration. Of the 14, four were issued with Notices of Warning, while seven were issued with composition sums amounting to $27,000. The remaining three travellers are still undergoing investigations. According to the police, it is a crime not to report cash or currency of more than $20,000 when crossing Singapore's borders. If convicted, offenders will face a fine of up to $50,000, a jail term of up to three years, or both. The cash may also be confiscated. "We will take strict enforcement action against anyone who fails to make a full and accurate report of cash movements into or out of Singapore," said David Chew, director of the Commercial Affairs Department. Separately, 153 travellers were also caught for failing to declare and pay Goods and Services Tax (GST) on goods such as tobacco products, liquor, POPMART toys and undeclared luxury goods. In one case, a traveller was caught with four litres of Chinese liquor in excess of duty-free allowances. Another traveller was also caught with 20 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes. In total, the GST evaded amounted to $10,754 and $35,165 in composition sums were imposed. Under the Customs Act, those found guilty of the fraudulent evasion of customs or excise duties can face a fine of up to 20 times the amount evaded, or a jail term of up to two years. Travellers are also reminded to declare and make payment for taxable items prior to their arrival in Singapore. [[nid:710203]]
The Sun
23-05-2025
- The Sun
Very heavy traffic at Singapore land checkpoints upcoming school holiday, Eid
SINGAPORE: Travellers driving through the Singapore-Malaysia land checkpoints during the upcoming June school holidays—particularly over the Eid al-Adha weekend from June 6 to 9—should expect 'very heavy' traffic and extended waiting times. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said travellers should anticipate longer waiting times to clear immigration at the Singapore's Tuas and Woodlands checkpoints. 'ICA advises travellers to check the traffic situation at the land checkpoints before embarking on their journey,' the agency said in a statement on Friday. ICA also recommended that those needing to travel during the peak period consider using cross-border bus services to avoid congestion. 'We seek travellers' understanding to cooperate with ICA officers, observe traffic rules and maintain lane discipline,' it said. The agency noted that during the Vesak Day long weekend from May 8 to 13, more than three million travellers crossed both land checkpoints. Traveller volume peaked on May 9, with over 546,000 travellers clearing immigration at the land checkpoints in a single day. Car travellers departing during peak periods had to wait up to three hours for immigration clearance, ICA said.
The Sun
23-05-2025
- The Sun
Heavy traffic expected at SG-MY checkpoints in June holiday
SINGAPORE: Travellers driving through the Singapore-Malaysia land checkpoints during the upcoming June school holidays—particularly over the Eid al-Adha weekend from June 6 to 9—should expect 'very heavy' traffic and extended waiting times. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said travellers should anticipate longer waiting times to clear immigration at the Singapore's Tuas and Woodlands checkpoints. 'ICA advises travellers to check the traffic situation at the land checkpoints before embarking on their journey,' the agency said in a statement on Friday. ICA also recommended that those needing to travel during the peak period consider using cross-border bus services to avoid congestion. 'We seek travellers' understanding to cooperate with ICA officers, observe traffic rules and maintain lane discipline,' it said. The agency noted that during the Vesak Day long weekend from May 8 to 13, more than three million travellers crossed both land checkpoints. Traveller volume peaked on May 9, with over 546,000 travellers clearing immigration at the land checkpoints in a single day. Car travellers departing during peak periods had to wait up to three hours for immigration clearance, ICA said.
New Paper
19-05-2025
- New Paper
Indonesians accused of entering S'pore illegally allegedly had 2,700 packs of contraband cigarettes
Four Indonesian men accused of entering Singapore's waters without any travel documents allegedly had 2,700 packets of contraband cigarettes in their possession. On May 19, Ripan, 28; Mahyudin, 32, Asmin Alexander, 50 and Ridwan Akarin, 50, were each charged with one count of entering Singapore without valid passes. Both Ripan and Mahyudin go by only one name. Police and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a joint statement on May 18 that the four men were said to be in a small craft in the sea near Pulau Tekong when the Police Coast Guard (PCG) detected them shortly before 1.30am on May 17. Officers from the PCG, Gurkha Contingent, the Special Operations Command and the K-9 Unit then responded to the incident and arrested the four unarmed Indonesians. A police spokesperson added: "The men were detained outside the protected areas of Pulau Tekong. They were allegedly found without any travel documents and in possession of uncustomed goods. "A total of 2,700 packets of assorted duty-unpaid cigarettes, and one fibreglass craft, which was fitted with one outboard motor, were seized in the operation." A total of 2,700 packets of assorted duty-unpaid cigarettes and one fibreglass craft (pictured) were seized in the operation. PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE The men's cases will be mentioned again in court on May 26 Offenders convicted of entering Singapore illegally can be jailed for up to six months and receive at least three strokes of the cane.
AsiaOne
19-05-2025
- AsiaOne
4 Indonesian men arrested for entering Singapore illegally, Singapore News
Four Indonesian men, aged between 28 and 50, were arrested on Saturday (May 17) for unlawfully entering into Singapore and possessing duty-unpaid cigarettes. In a joint statement issued on Monday (May 19), the police and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said that the men were detected by the Police Coast Guard (PCG) at 1.27 am on May 17 when they illegally entered Singapore by sea in a small craft. The vessel landed outside the fence line of Pulau Tekong. The men were found outside the protected areas of Pulau Tekong, allegedly without any travel documents, and in possession of uncustomed goods. Officers from the PCG, the Gurkha Contingent, the Special Operations Command, and the K-9 Unit responded promptly, successfully arresting the four unarmed Indonesian men as they disembarked from the craft. The authorities seized 2,700 packets of assorted duty-unpaid cigarettes, along with the fiberglass craft, which was fitted with an outboard motor. Commander of the PCG and Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Ang Eng Seng said: "This joint operation with the ICA highlights the collaborative efforts to safeguard Singapore's territorial waters and sea borders against criminal activities and security threats, including unauthorized entry and departure from Singapore." "Anyone involved in unlawful entry or departure from Singapore-such as those ferrying illegal immigrants to or from the country-will face the full force of the law." The four men will be charged in court on May 19 for unlawful entry into Singapore under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959. The offence carries a penalty of up to six months in prison and at least three strokes of the cane. [[nid:656179]]
