There were 77 cases of offensive weapons detected in air cargo entering Singapore from January to October, a 67 per cent increase from the 46 cases in the same period in 2022.
The police and Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) revealed these latest figures at the Changi Airfreight Centre (CAC) on Dec 13.
The spike is mainly due to people bringing in knuckle dusters and slingshots. Offensive weapons also include airsoft guns, flick knives, nunchakus, and pepper sprays.
To tackle this concerning trend, the police and ICA showed how they detect and foil attempts to import offensive weapons in air cargo.
Before the cargoes arrive, ICA uses data to identify high-risk consignments, cargoes and parcels. At CAC, all cargo vehicles go through a radiographic scanning portal. ICA’s image analysts look for items that do not tally with the permit information.
If anomalies are spotted, officers conduct further checks on cargoes using X-ray machines. No matter how many layers are wrapped around it, the X-ray shows the shape and density of each item clearly.
ICA officers also have a handheld device that detects items with explosives, such as firearms, hidden in parcels.
When such weapons are found, ICA officers refer the cases to relevant agencies, including the police.
Anyone found importing or in possession of prohibited items, be it in public or in a private place such as their homes, may be arrested and investigated, said the police.
Offenders who possess a scheduled weapon may be jailed for up to five years and caned a maximum of six times.
The Straits Times
