Singapore police report increase in illegal immigrant boats

SingaporeSingapore - Singapore police coast guards chased away 58 illegal immigrant boats from landing along the shores of the city state in the first three months of this year, more than double the 27 boats detected during the same period last year, according to a Straits Times report Friday.

The police coast guard commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Teo Kian Teck, said the intruders resorted to dangerous manoeuvering in darkness when they wee being pursued.

The police caught 35 illegal immigrants during January-March 2009 compared with 46 a year ago.

Police also seized 8,100 cartons of contraband cigarettes from the intruders during the first three months compared with 4,620 cartons taken from such immigrants during the first quarter of last year.

Last year the police detected 245 suspicious vessels carrying illegal immigrants, an increase of 71 more vessels than in 2007. (dpa)

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