Police arrest 12 illegal aliens

Police arrest 12 illegal aliens

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.