SINGAPORE - Five illegal immigrants who attempted to enter or leave Singapore unlawfully have been arrested by Police Coast Guard (PCG), said the police in a statement released on Wednesday (Jan 27).

In the first arrest on Jan 20 at 2.22am, three floating objects believed to be swimmers were detected in the sea off Senoko.

Within 10 minutes, PCG officers successfully intercepted and arrested the three men aged between 25 and 30. They were attempting to enter Singapore unlawfully.

On Jan 22, at about 3.30am, PCG detected a swimmer in the sea off Fuji Jetty near Senoko and subsequently arrested the 45-year-old man, who was also trying to get into Singapore illegally.

On Jan 23, at about 3.15am, a 31-year-old man was arrested in the sea off Sungai Mandai for attempting to leave Singapore illegally by swimming across the Straits of Johor to Malaysia.

PCG Commander Hsu Sin Yun said the arrests showed its resolve to safeguard Singapore waters.

He added: "PCG will continue to be steadfast and vigilant, working more determinedly round the clock to achieve PCG's mission of preventing, deterring and detecting crime in Singapore waters."