Singapore Jails Malaysian Man of Indian Origin for Smuggling Puppy in Dirty Laundry Bag

Singapore: A Malaysian national of Indian origin has been sentenced to eight weeks in prison and fined 2,500 Singapore dollars for attempting to smuggle a puppy into Singapore by hiding it in a bag filled with dirty clothes, as per agency report.

The incident took place on October 20, 2023, when officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at Tuas Checkpoint—connecting Singapore to the southern tip of Peninsular Malaysia—discovered the puppy during a routine inspection of the accused’s vehicle. The animal was found concealed in a bag stashed in the car’s spare tyre compartment.

The accused, 43-year-old Mahenthiran Ganesan, pleaded guilty to the charges. According to details presented in court, Ganesan runs a transport company in Malaysia and had borrowed money from an unidentified individual. To repay the debt, he was allegedly asked to smuggle animals from Malaysia into Singapore.

Initially hesitant, Ganesan eventually agreed due to his deteriorating financial condition. He admitted he was aware the act was illegal but went ahead with the smuggling attempt nonetheless.

The case highlights ongoing efforts by Singaporean authorities to curb illegal wildlife trafficking and underscores the serious legal consequences for such offenses.