SINGAPORE - A total of 120 deregistered vehicles, mostly saloon cars, were seized by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) during sting operations earlier this month.

The deregistered vehicles had been either declared as exported or kept beyond the permissible deadline for them to be disposed of, said the LTA in a statement on Monday (June 18).

The sting operations were conducted at several locations on June 7, against car dealers and owners.

"The owners of the raided premises are currently assisting with LTA's investigations," the authority added.

Within a month of deregistering a vehicle, owners are required to submit proof to the LTA that it has been properly disposed of at authorised scrapyards or export processing zones, or that it has been exported overseas.

Those found guilty of making a false declaration to the LTA on the disposal of a vehicle may be fined up to $5,000 or jailed up to 12 months, or both.

Possessing, using or allowing a deregistered vehicle to be used beyond the permissible deadline is also an offence. Those convicted may be fined up to $2,000 or jailed up to three months, or both for the first offence. Repeat offenders may be fined up to $5,000 or jailed up to six months, or both.

As unregistered or deregistered vehicles are not insured, any person found guilty of driving these vehicles may be fined up to $1,000 or jailed up to three months, or both. Offenders may also be disqualified from driving for at least a year.