Police arrest 12 illegal aliens

Wed, 25 Feb 1998, 00:00 WIB | Source: AP

SINGAPORE (AP): Twelve foreigners were arrested early
yesterday as they allegedly tried to enter Singapore illegally by
boat, state-controlled TV reported.

After a short chase, a boat with 12 men surrendered to the
Singapore police coast guards, about 1.8 kilometers off the
island's northern coast.

Police said they believed the foreigners were Indonesian men
who hoped to find work in Singapore. Each paid between S$90 and
$120 (US$54 to $75) for the day-long trip from the Indonesian
island of Batam, the report said.

The economic crisis that has been sweeping Southeast Asia
since last July has increased the number of illegal immigrants
trying to enter this prosperous city-state. The 12 are the
largest group arrested this year.

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