Spotted doves, sugar gliders found hidden in car at Tuas Checkpoint

The 20-year-old Singaporean driver and his 44-year-old passenger are under investigation, while the animals have been seized.
Channel NewsAsia 27 Aug 15;

SINGAPORE: Two Singaporean men are under investigation for the illegal import of animals after live spotted doves and sugar gliders were found hidden in their car, said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) on Thursday (Aug 27).

The animals were discovered in a Singapore-registered car during inspection at Tuas Checkpoint on Tuesday evening. ICA officers found two bird cages, each containing a spotted dove, hidden between the rear bumper and car boot. They also uncovered a black pouch containing three sugar gliders behind the glove compartment.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) is investigating the 20-year-old driver and his 44-year-old passenger. AVA also seized the animals.

Offenders found guilty of importing live animals without an AVA permit face a fine of up to S$10,000 and/or up to one year in jail.

- CNA/xq

Spotted doves, sugar gliders seized at Tuas Checkpoint
Today Online 27 Aug 15;

SINGAPORE — Two live spotted doves and three live sugar gliders were found hidden in a car on Tuesday (Aug 25) at Tuas Checkpoint.

The 20-year-old Singaporean man driving the Singapore-registered car and his companion, a 44-year-old Singaporean man, are now under investigation by the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) for the illegal import of animals. The animals were also seized by the AVA.

The animals were found when the car was referred for further checks upon arrival at Tuas Checkpoint at about 10.40pm. Two spotted doves were each found in a bird cage hidden in the gap between the rear bumper and the car boot, while the three suger gliders were found hidden behind the glove compartment, said the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in a news release today.

It is an offence to import any animals or live birds without an AVA permit. Offenders can be charged in court and fined up to S$10,000 and/or jailed up to one year.