ICA foils illegal-departure attempt
Posted: 01 February 2012 2111 hrs
SINGAPORE: A man who tried to smuggle an overstayer out of Singapore has been nabbed.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said the man, a 21-year-old Malaysian, was caught on Wednesday at about 12.30pm.
A Malaysia-registered car -- a black MPV -- was seized.
ICA said the car was stopped at the Woodlands Checkpoint for checks.
ICA officers found a 37-year-old Bangladeshi hiding at the back seat, covered in a black cloth.
Preliminary investigation showed that the driver was asked by his brother-in-law to bring the Bangladeshi, who's an overstayer, out of Singapore.
The Bangladeshi had wanted to leave Singapore to go home and reunite with his wife.
The driver said he was to be paid S$1,000 upon completing the task.
Both men are now under arrest.
ICA said anyone convicted of overstaying could be jailed up to six months and given at least three strokes of the cane.
For illegal departure, the offender could be jailed up to six months, fined up to S$2,000 or both.
- CNA/wk
