According to a press release by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), two Malaysian women attempted to smuggle a man out of Singapore by hiding him in their car boot.

Hid 31-year-old Bangladeshi national in car boot

ICA officers discovered a man hiding in the car boot upon conducting checks at the Woodlands Checkpoint on August 5, 2019.

The man, a 31-year-old Bangladeshi national, was not found to have any travel documents.

The Malaysia-registered car was driven by a 28-year-old Malaysian woman. She was accompanied by a 33-year-old female passenger.

The two women were arrested, and investigations are currently ongoing.

Penalties for smuggling

ICA stressed that they take a "serious view of attempts to enter or depart Singapore illegally".

They also said that they will continue to conduct security checks at the checkpoints to prevent smuggling attempts.

Under the Immigration Act, the penalties for illegal entry are a jail term of up to six months and a minimum of three strokes of the cane.

The penalties for illegal departure include a fine of up to S$1,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both.

Offenders who convey prohibited immigrants out of Singapore will face a jail term of two to five years, and a minimum of three strokes of the cane.

Top photo composite image, via ICA.