Man who drove through Tuas Checkpoint charged in court

SINGAPORE — The Singaporean man who drove off from Tuas Checkpoint on Tuesday (June 23), ignoring instructions to stop his car for further Customs checks, was charged today (June 26) with committing a rash act that may endanger the personal safety of others.

Mohamed Dawood R M Abdul Sukkur, 47, allegedly drove off at 142kmh within the security checkpoint area that had a speed limit of 15kmh.

He faces up to six months’ jail and/or a S$2,500 fine, if convicted. But the prosecution told the court today that police investigations are still ongoing and more charges could be pressed against him.

The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA) previously said that Dawood, a businessman, had arrived at the checkpoint in a Singapore-registered car at around 12.15pm that day.

After clearing immigration, he drove his black BMW 7-series into the Customs Red Channel to declare the food products — boxes of curry puffs and kueh — he had brought in from Malaysia.

Checks were conducted and there were discrepancies in the amount declared, the ICA had said. Dawood was then directed to a designated inspection area for further checks, but he drove off instead.

Police located his car almost two hours later, along Pioneer Road North.

Dawood will next appear in court on July 14. His bail amount of S$10,000 has also been extended.