Arrested: 4 Indonesians who jumped from boat off Tuas and swam to S'pore

The four men, aged between 19 and 38, were spotted last Friday on Tuas reclaimed land by the Police Coast Guard’s surveillance systems at about 8.30pm. They were caught within five hours. PHOTOS: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE

Four Indonesian men who jumped off a boat and swam towards Singapore have been arrested for unlawful entry, the police said yesterday.

The men, aged between 19 and 38, jumped off an unnumbered boat into the waters off Tuas reclaimed land before swimming towards the shoreline.

They were spotted last Friday on Tuas reclaimed land by the Police Coast Guard's (PCG) surveillance systems at about 8.30pm.

Following their detection, officers from the PCG, Jurong Police Division, Gurkha contingent, Special Operations Command and Home Team Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Unit responded to arrest the four men.

All were taken into custody within five hours of being spotted.

They were charged in court last Saturday with unlawful entry into Singapore.

If convicted, they could be jailed for up to six months and get at least three strokes of the cane.

The police said the men have been handed over to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority for further investigation.

Commander of the PCG, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Cheang Keng Keong, said: "The officers' vigilance and excellent team work, which resulted in the swift arrest, are highly commendable.

"PCG will spare no effort and will continue to take firm action against such offenders to safeguard our waters and sea borders against crime and security threats, including unauthorised entry into and departure from Singapore."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 14, 2020, with the headline Arrested: 4 Indonesians who jumped from boat off Tuas and swam to S'pore. Subscribe