The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) had a busy time in the first half of 2007.

Continued vigilance by ICA officers saw the number of prohibited items as well as contraband cigarettes being detected skyrocketing.

The number of security items-related cases detected saw a whopping 206 per cent increase in the first half of 2007. A total of 1,500 cases were detected, as compared to 490 cases for the same period last year, according to a statement by the ICA.

The more common prohibited items that were seized included nightsticks, knives, pepper sprays, souvenirs made from empty cartridges and munitions accessories.  These were usually found to be in possession by travellers passing though the checkpoints.

ICA also said the number of cigarettes smuggling cases detected increased 126 per cent vis-à-vis the corresponding period in 2006.

From 5,300 cases in Jan-Jun 2006 to 12,000 this year. The higher retail prices of cigarettes in Singapore could have led to the spike in the number of cases as more syndicates and petty smugglers are making attempts to bring contraband cigarettes from neighbouring countries into Singapore.

In contrast, the number of immigration offenders arrested at the checkpoints plunged 52 per cent, from 730 to 350.  ICA also pointed out that the number of illegal immigrants (II) arrested have been steadily falling for the past six years.

The number of harbourers arrested have also remained constant, while the number of employers of immigration offenders arrested dropped 33 per cent to 60.

In light of the attempts to breach Singapore borders in the first half of this year, ICA says that its security checks at the borders will continue to be stringent and rigorous.

The ICA employs a combination of intensified checks at the checkpoints, enforcement initiatives island-wide and enhanced technology capabilities to keep Singapore’s borders safe from undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contrabands.