In the quiet hours of the night on November 20, the tranquil Tanah Merah Coast Road became a stage for a high-stakes operation as two Indonesian men attempted to enter Singapore unlawfully by sea, according to a report by The Straits Times.
The Coast Guard’s surveillance system, a silent sentinel in the dark, detected a fast-moving craft heading towards the shoreline at 11.58 pm.
Detection of the Fast-Moving Craft
The sudden blip on the surveillance radar triggered a swift response from law enforcement. The craft, skillfully avoiding floating sea barriers at the entrance of Tanah Merah Canal, landed on the coast nearby.
What ensued was a meticulously coordinated operation involving the Police Coast Guard (PCG), Bedok Police Division, the Gurkha Contingent, and the Special Operations Command.
The collaboration among these units underscored the gravity of the situation. Within seven hours of detection, the 33 and 36-year-old suspects were apprehended.
Shockingly, they were found without any valid travel documents. The vessel, a modest 5m fibreglass sampan equipped with an onboard motor, was confiscated.
Consequences
As the sun began to rise on November 21, the duo faced charges for their unlawful entry into Singapore. The potential consequences loomed large—a jail term of up to six months and at least three strokes of the cane.
The sampan, a seemingly inconspicuous vessel, raises questions about the audacity of those attempting such ventures. The onboard motor adds a layer of sophistication to what might be perceived as a rudimentary attempt at illegal entry.