Channel NewsAsia 19 Sep 13;
SINGAPORE: Four Singaporeans have been referred to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) for further investigations, after they tried to bring in six mata puteh birds, also known as the Oriental White-eye, into Singapore.
The men, who were in a Singapore-registered car, were stopped for routine checks at the Tuas Checkpoint on Tuesday at about 8:40pm.
Vigilant Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers noticed three toothpaste boxes inside the centre arm rest console, two in a passenger's waist pouch and one in a sling bag.
A mata puteh was found in each of the six boxes.
The men and the birds were then referred to AVA for further investigations.
The ICA and AVA remind travellers against bringing live animals, birds and insects into Singapore without a proper permit.
They say such importation is a violation of the Animals and Birds Act, which carries a maximum penalty of S$10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year.
- CNA/ec
