PUBLISHED ONSeptember 10, 2026 12:25 PMBYSean LerImmigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers "unbottled" an Indonesian ship crew member's thermal flask at PSA Keppel Entrance Crew Office on Aug 9, and found a nearly 28cm-long elephant ivory task in it, instead of water.
Revealing the smuggling attempt in a Facebook post on Thursday (Sept 10) evening, ICA said the 30-year-old Indonesian was returning home and transiting through Singapore.
He was directed to undergo baggage checks and asked if he had any items to declare, to which he replied in the negative.
But anomalies were found in his baggage scan and he was directed to undergo a thorough check.
There, ICA's search and examination officers found an elephant ivory tusk hidden in a modified tumbler that was in his baggage.
The crew member was arrested and the case referred to the National Parks Board (NParks) for further investigation.
Under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, individuals convicted of offences involving illegal trade such as elephant ivory, could face a fine of up to $100,000 per specimen, imprisonment of up to six years, or both.
The same penalties apply to those found guilty of transiting or transhipping species of wildlife, including their parts and derivatives, listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
Reiterating its zero-tolerance against wildlife smuggling, ICA said it will continue working closely with NParks to combat the illegal wildlife trade.
It also urged the community to do its part by ensuring that purchases do not contain animal or plant parts of endangered species, and by not contributing to the demand for the illegal trade of wildlife.
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