Vietnamese man, 29, attacks CPIB officer with toilet brush after being arrested for offering S$8 bribe to ICA officer

A 29-year-old Vietnamese national decided to offer a S$8 bribe to an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer after eight undeclared contraband cigarette packets were found in his luggage on Nov. 11, 2024.

The man, Tran Phuong Hau, was subsequently arrested and taken to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) for investigations.

There, he attempted to flee, and also attacked a CPIB officer with a broken toilet brush.

Tran was eventually subdued by the CPIB officer and sentenced to four months and a week's imprisonment on Jan. 10, 2025.

Told ICA officer he had nothing to declare

According to court documents seen by Mothership, Tran offered the bribe to the ICA officer after arriving at Changi Airport's Terminal 4 from Vietnam.

After clearing Singapore Customs at around 11:10am, Tran proceeded to the baggage area, where the officer stopped him for a baggage check.

When the officer asked Tran whether he had anything to declare, he said no.

However, upon searching his bag and luggage, the officer found eight undeclared contraband cigarette packets in Tran's possession.

Offered bribe

As Tran wanted the officer to allow him to pass through the baggage check quickly, he took out four S$2 notes and placed them in the officer's left pocket while the officer continued to search his belongings.

When the officer felt Tran's hand in his pocket, he grabbed Tran's hand and asked why Tran put four notes into his pocket.

In response, Tran said it was for him to "buy coffee".

The officer immediately reported the incident to his group leader, and Tran was subsequently arrested.

Attempted to escape custody at CPIB

After arriving at the CPIB office in Lengkok Bahru for investigations, Tran was interviewed by a CPIB officer.

In the middle of the interview, he told the officer that he needed to use the toilet at around 11:20pm.

As such, the officer brought him into the toilet and waited for him outside.

Tran noticed a blue toilet brush, and broke its handle to fashion it into a weapon.

He then hid the broken toilet brush in the back of his pants.

Tran slowly walked out of the toilet and towards the interview room.

Upon reaching the door of the interview room, he suddenly darted towards the left and ran down the corridor.

In response, the officer gave chase and shouted for help.

Attacked CPIB officer who intercepted him

While Tran ran into the office area, a second CPIB officer heard his colleague's cry for help and responded.

Tran proceeded to attack the second officer — he lunged at the officer with the broken toilet brush in hand, shoving it towards the officer's stomach area.

In response, the officer grabbed Tran's arm and pushed him against the wall before disarming him by removing the toilet brush from his hand.

Tran was subsequently disarmed, subdued and handcuffed, and the officer did not sustain any injuries.

Pleaded guilty

On Jan. 10, 2025, Tran was sentenced to four months and a week's jail after pleading guilty to three charges, according to The Straits Times.

These charges included one corruption charge, one charge for using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty, and one charge for attempting to escape from lawful custody.

During court proceedings, Tran expressed his remorse for his wrongdoings and asked for a lighter sentence, citing that he has a family in Vietnam to care for, reported ST.

He also said that he did not "understand the Singapore law" as his visit in November 2024 was his "first time" in the country.

Top images via court documents & Google Maps