Driver faces charges over 'illegal food'
Derek Wong
Wednesday, Jul 15, 2015
Photo: The Straits Times
A Singaporean businessman who allegedly drove through the Tuas Checkpoint - with cakes and pastries weighing about 200kg, as well as Ramly beef patties weighing about 37.8kg - despite being asked to stop for checks was in court yesterday to face three charges.
This is in addition to the one he was hit with on June 26.
Mohamed Dawood Abdul Sukkur, 47, had earlier been accused of committing a rash act to endanger the safety of others, by allegedly driving a black BMW at 142kmh within a confined security checkpoint area with a speed limit of 15kmh.
Yesterday's charges include two alleging that he had imported food which was not registered with the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority.
His car allegedly contained 145 packets of traditional cakes and pastries weighing about 200kg, four bottles of maize drink weighing about 1kg, and 105 packets of Ramly beef patties weighing about 37.8kg.
He was also charged with intentionally perverting the course of justice by allegedly disposing of the beef patties into a drain along the Pan-Island Expressway - in the direction of Changi Airport - before the exit to Pioneer Road North.
If convicted of importing the unregistered pastries, Dawood faces a fine of up to $1,000.
Under the Wholesome Meat and Fish Act, offenders could be jailed for up to two years, and fined up to $50,000, for importing unlicensed meat patties.
For intentionally perverting the course of justice by disposing of goods, the maximum punishment is seven years' jail and a fine.
The prosecution sought a three-week adjournment for further investigation, as he could face more charges from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore. He is out on $10,000 bail and will return to court on Aug 5.
Dawood is represented by lawyer Noor Mohamed Marican.
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