Six Myanmar nationals, aged between 22 and 42, were arrested during an operation at a cemetery in Choa Chu Kang on Tuesday (19 February) at around 8.40 am.
In a joint release by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on Thursday, it is said that ICA officers mounted an operation at a cemetery in Choa Chu Kang.
While checking the area, a Myanmar male national spotted the officers and attempted to flee. Officers immediately gave chase and subdued him.
The man then led the officers to his make-shift quarters within the cemetery where five other male Myanmar nationals were found.
According to the authorities, all were established to be immigration offenders. The six of them were arrested for immigration-related offences, including overstaying in Singapore.
The Myanmar nationals claimed that they were working as grave diggers in the cemetery. Investigations are currently ongoing.
ICA stressed tat it takes a serious view of attempts to overstay, enter or depart Singapore illegally. Under the Immigration Act (Cap 133), the penalties for overstaying or illegal entry are a jail term of up to six months plus a minimum of three strokes of the cane, while the penalties for illegal departure is a fine of up to $2,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both.
