SINGAPORE: An attempt to smuggle an illegal immigrant out of Singapore was quickly spotted by Immigration & Checkpoints Authority officers on Tuesday morning.

Officers at Woodlands Checkpoint found a 24-year-old Chinese Malaysian hiding in an empty boot of a car.

Preliminary investigations revealed the illegal immigrant was unpacking duty unpaid cigarettes when the police conducted a raid.

He fled the scene and lost his passport in the process. Fearing the consequences of the law he made arrangements to leave Singapore illegally.

He hid in the car driven by a 32-year-old Malaysian. The driver claimed he was paid RM300 to get the man out of Singapore.

Both the immigration offender and the driver have been detained and are under investigation. - CNA/vm