Man caught smuggling live bird in potato chips tube via Woodlands Checkpoint

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said officers found the tube - which was labelled as seaweed flavoured - hidden in the glove compartment of a Malaysian-registered car. PHOTO: FACEBOOK/IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY

SINGAPORE - A 23-year-old Malaysian man was caught smuggling a live bird inside a potato chips tube via the Woodlands Checkpoint on Sunday (May 27).

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a Facebook post on Wednesday that officers found the tube - which was labelled as seaweed flavoured - hidden in the glove compartment of a Malaysian-registered car.

The case has been referred to the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority for further investigations, with the bird currently under its care, ICA said.

In its post, ICA said that the health status of smuggled animals is unknown and that importing them into Singapore without a licence could introduce exotic diseases, such as avian influenza, to the country.

AVA also took to its Facebook page to remind travellers not to bring live animals, birds and insects into Singapore without a proper permit.

The public can visit AVA's website at www.ava.gov.sg or download its mobile app SG TravelKaki for more information.

"Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore's security," ICA said.

It added that it will continue to conduct security checks on passengers and vehicles at checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable people, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband items.

Anyone convicted of smuggling animals or live birds into Singapore may be jailed for a year, fined up to $10,000 or both.

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