Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Actions Taken to Prosecute People Smugglers, by Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law

Question:

Mr Christopher De Souza: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs what actions have been, and are being, taken to prosecute people smugglers.

Answer:

1. We take tough action against people smugglers. Between 2016 and July 2018, eleven persons were charged and successfully prosecuted under the Immigration Act for people smuggling or abetment. They were sentenced to imprisonment terms ranging from six to 30 months, and caning of up to six strokes.

 

2. People smuggling is a transnational crime, and so we also work closely with our foreign counterparts through regular information exchanges and law enforcement cooperation.