Half an hour past midnight, a grey Proton Waja drove through the Woodlands Checkpoint on November 3.

Although nothing seemed amiss, Immigrations & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers signaled the driver to stop for checks at the secondary check area.

The officers discovered a Chinese man in his early 20s in the car boot.

The driver, a 32-year-old Malaysian Chinese man, and the illegal immigrant were immediately arrested.

Investigations revealed that the illegal immigrant was a 24-year old Malaysian.

He said that he was assisting in unpacking duty unpaid cigarettes but fled the scene during a police raid. He said he lost his passport when he fled, and made arrangements to leave the country illegally.

The driver claimed that he was paid RM300 (S$122.65) to send the man out of Singapore.

Both the driver and the immigration offender are currently under investigation for their offences.

The vehicle used in the commission of this offence has been detained and is liable for forfeiture.

ICA takes a serious view of attempts by foreigners to overstay, enter or depart Singapore illegally.

Under the Immigration Act (Cap 133), the penalties for overstaying or illegal entry are a jail term of up to six months plus a minimum of three strokes of the cane, while the penalties for illegal departure is a fine of up to $2,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both.

The vehicle used in the smuggling of the illegal immigrants will also be seized and liable for forfeiture.