The right way to new competence
The presentation ceremony for the Minister for Home Affairs’ Award for Operational Excellence held on 2nd December 2011 will see a total of 1,713 officers commended for their contribution to 102 successful Home Team operations.
This is an annual award presented to outstanding officers from the Home Team and partnering agencies in recognition of their professionalism and proficiency while mounting these operations.
Minister of State for Home Affairs and Foreign Affairs, Masagos Zulkifli, will grace the ceremony at the Home Team Academy to present the awards to officers from the Home Team Departments ie the Singapore Police Force (SPF), Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore Prison Service (SPS), Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), as well as agencies like the Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises (SCORE). [See Annex A for full list of organisations].
Highlights of award-winning operations
ICA checkpoint officers detect hidden compartment used by cigarette smugglers
One of the award-winning operations this year was ICA’s uncovering a new modus operandi by cigarette smugglers. On 27 June 2011, ICA officers at Tuas Checkpoint noticed the driver of a Malaysian-registered bus behaving nervously, and decided to submit the vehicle for further inspection. The officers’ sharp instincts and meticulous checks paid off when they discovered a modified compartment between the ceiling and roof top of the bus, with a secret mechanical control built-in. The officers recovered a total of 1,380 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes with the potential customs duty and GST involved amounting to about $97,000 and $8,800 respectively. The driver was subsequently convicted and sentenced to 32 months of imprisonment.
Prison officers safely moved Kaki Bukit Centre to its new home
The Singapore Prison Service planned, coordinated and eventually effected the safe and successful move of 259 inmates from the Kaki Bukit Centre (KBC) to Tanah Merah Prison (TMP) in the wee hours on a June Sunday. Significant efforts were required even before the move itself. Originally a maximum security facility, TMP underwent major conversion to accommodate classrooms and dormitories for inmates of KBC. Following this were rehearsals, specialist training, and numerous coordination meetings not only within SPS, but also with other organisations such as the Raffles Medical Group. The actual move required 70 staff from KBC and an additional 80 support staff – with some officers reporting as early as 345 am. With the security provided by SPS’ own Singapore Prisons Emergency Action Response (SPEAR) and convoy clearance by the Traffic Police, the move was successfully completed at about 1100 am.
Central Narcotics Bureau officers foiled drug trafficking
CNB officers’ keen observation foiled a trafficker’s attempt at bringing in a large amount ‘Ecstasy’ into Singapore early this year. CNB and other Home Team officers at Woodland Checkpoint periodically conduct operations to deter and detect drug smugglers. In one such operation on 27 January 2011, a Malaysian-registered taxi was spotted ferrying an Indonesian couple. The unusual placement of belongings within the taxi aroused the suspicion of CNB officers, who directed the vehicle for further checks. Following an interview and search, officers recovered 3,097 Ecstasy tablets – worth about S$93,510 – as well as small amounts ‘Ice’. This was then the largest single seizure of “Ecstasy” tablets since 2002.
Casino crime nipped in the bud
Skilled investigation by officers from the specialised Casino Crime Investigation Branch (CCIB) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) uncovered illicit activity by an illegal betting syndicate that targeted high net-worth patrons of local casinos. The syndicate modus operandi, or MO, was to befriend such patrons, and after earning their trust, illegally offer side-bets to them while playing at the Casino. CCIB successfully launched an operation on 14 June 2011 while the syndicate members were at a local casino, arresting an Indonesian and two locals. CCIB seized from them more than S$46,000 of casino gaming chips, a S$100,000-cheque and cash amounting to about $78,000.
Home Team partners also recognised for their continued cooperation
Officers from external agencies were also recognised for their assistance rendered in various Home Team operations. This year, officers from two agencies, AETOS and Singapore Customs, received the Operational Excellence award for helping to maintain the safety and security of Singapore.
Issued by: Central Narcotics Bureau
for Ministry of Home Affairs
