SINGAPORE - A lorry driver was fined $25,000 on Wednesday for illegally dumping excavated earth at Old Upper Thomson Road.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) had received a complaint on Tuesday that a driver had dumped excavated earth at a public place along Old Upper Thomson Road. After investigations, the NEA established that Neo Aik Khee, the driver, was instructed by his employer to dispose of about 10 tonnes of unwanted earth at Changi Staging ground. Neo dumped it illegally instead, because his lorry had a punctured tyre.

He could have been fined up to $50,000 and jailed up to a year.

In a statement by the NEA on Wednesday, it said the number of illegal dumping cases has dropped with "continued enforcement and close surveillance" by the agency. In 2013, there were 38 such cases, compared with 160 in 2000.

The NEA said the public can call its 24-hour call centre on 1800-2255-632 if they see any illegal dumping activity. When reporting any such activity, it will be helpful to provide the date, time and location of the incident, the registration number of the vehicle used to carry the waste, as well as photos and videos.