ANN/THE STRAITS TIMES – Two Malaysian nationals attempted to help a fellow countryman escape Singapore’s borders illegally through Tuas Checkpoint by hiding him in the cargo compartment of a lorry.
The man had his passport seized after he was caught transporting e-cigarette devices and related-products into Singapore.
Sharan Raj Loganathan, 26, and Ramesh Munusamy, 44, yesterday pleaded guilty to their attempts to help Mohamad Izuwan Che Mohd Abd Khoha exit Tuas Checkpoint illegally on July 19.
Both Sharan and Ramesh were sentenced to 10 months’ jail.
Court documents show that Izuwan, 32, had been caught for transporting more than 11,900 e-cigarette pods and 8,657 e-cigarette devices into Singapore on July 17. He then tried to return to Malaysia by hiding in the cargo compartment of Ramesh’s lorry two days later, on July 19.
On August 28, Izuwan was sentenced to seven months’ jail for his offences.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said Sharan and Ramesh had known each other since 2022 as they had worked as lorry drivers at N A Raku Transport Agency.
Some time in May, Sharan learnt that Ramesh needed money as the latter had asked him for delivery jobs to earn extra income.
On July 18, an acquaintance, referred to as Boy Anne, contacted Sharan while he was in Malaysia, asking if Sharan knew anyone willing to sneak Izuwan out of Singapore illegally for MYR2,300. Sharan then asked Ramesh if he was keen to take up the job. ICA said both men knew Izuwan was not allowed to leave Singapore as he was under investigation for importing e-cigarettes into the Republic. Izuwan’s passport had also been seized by the Health Sciences Authority. Ramesh agreed to the job and also agreed to pay Sharan MYR300 for the referral.
PHOTO: THE STRAITS TIMES & ICA
