Ng Huiwen Straits Times 31 May 18;
SINGAPORE - A 23-year-old Malaysian man was caught smuggling a live bird inside a potato chips tube via the Woodlands Checkpoint on Sunday (May 27).
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a Facebook post on Wednesday that officers found the tube - which was labelled as seaweed flavoured - hidden in the glove compartment of a Malaysian-registered car.
The case has been referred to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority for further investigations, with the bird currently under its care, ICA said.
In its post, ICA said that the health status of smuggled animals is unknown and that importing them into Singapore without a licence could introduce exotic diseases, such as avian influenza, to the country.
AVA also took to its Facebook page to remind travellers not to bring live animals, birds and insects into Singapore without a proper permit.
The public can visit AVA's website at www.ava.gov.sg or download its mobile app SG TravelKaki for more information.
"Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore's security," ICA said.
It added that it will continue to conduct security checks on passengers and vehicles at checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable people, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband items.
Anyone convicted of smuggling animals or live birds into Singapore may be jailed for a year, fined up to $10,000 or both.
Man caught smuggling live bird in potato chips tube
Channel NewsAsia 31 May 18;
SINGAPORE: A 23-year-old man was caught on Sunday (May 27) for smuggling a live bird he had hidden in a potato chips tube.
The Malaysian national, who had placed the container in the glove compartment of the car he was driving, was caught at Woodlands Checkpoint, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
The man has been referred to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) and the bird is under AVA's care, ICA said.
Smuggling animals with unknown health statuses may introduce exotic diseases such as avian influenza, ICA said. Those who import animals and live birds without a licence may be fined for up to S$10,000 and/or jailed for up to a year under the Animals and Birds Act.
"Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore’s security," ICA said.
"The ICA will continue to conduct security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contrabands," it added.
Source: CNA/na(hm)
