10-8-2023 (SINGAPORE) A Singaporean individual has been slapped with a hefty fine of $15,000 (equivalent to RM51,000) on Thursday following his unlawful act of importing a substantial quantity of meat and seafood products weighing over 180kg from China. This violation came to light through a collaborative announcement by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
The offender, identified as Man Wee Kong, aged 51, incurred the penalty due to his unauthorised importation of meat and seafood from China, a move that breached established regulations. Interestingly, the SFA disclosed in response to inquiries from The Straits Times that Man Wee Kong lacked a valid SFA license at the time of his unlawful activity.
The sequence of events leading to this outcome began unfolding on August 10, 2021, when ICA officers stationed at the Pasir Panjang Scanning Station noticed irregularities in the scanned images of a cargo container that had been declared as containing assorted items. The subsequent physical examination exposed a shipment of meat and seafood products originating from China, but alarmingly, these imports lacked the requisite valid import permit.
Subsequently, the case was escalated to the SFA for a comprehensive investigation. Acting swiftly, on August 16, 2021, SFA officers conducted an inspection of a warehouse located at 21 Pandan Avenue, where the unauthorised food items were being stored. Their search yielded a significant haul of over 180kg of illegally imported meat and seafood products.
Highlighting the broader ramifications of such illicit imports, the SFA underscored the potential safety hazards associated with food products from unverified sources. In a strongly worded statement, they emphasized that “Food can only be imported by licensed importers, and every consignment must be declared and accompanied with a valid import permit.”
The legal repercussions for such actions are severe, as outlined in Singaporean law. Offenders who engage in the illegal importation of meat and fish products from unapproved sources, or are found to be in possession of such products with the intent to sell, may face fines of up to $50,000, a prison term of up to two years, or a combination of both penalties. For those with a history of repeat offences, the stakes are even higher, with potential fines reaching up to $100,000, a prison sentence of up to three years, or a combination of both sanctions.
