SINGAPORE — Two live spotted doves and three live sugar gliders were found hidden in a car on Tuesday (Aug 25) at Tuas Checkpoint.

The 20-year-old Singaporean man driving the Singapore-registered car and his companion, a 44-year-old Singaporean man, are now under investigation by the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) for the illegal import of animals. The animals were also seized by the AVA.

The animals were found when the car was referred for further checks upon arrival at Tuas Checkpoint at about 10.40pm. Two spotted doves were each found in a bird cage hidden in the gap between the rear bumper and the car boot, while the three suger gliders were found hidden behind the glove compartment, said the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in a news release today.

It is an offence to import any animals or live birds without an AVA permit. Offenders can be charged in court and fined up to S$10,000 and/or jailed up to one year.