Singapore man fined $15,800 for throwing cigarette butts out his window

SINGAPORE, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Authorities in Singapore announced a fine of more than $15,000 was imposed on a litterbug caught on camera tossing cigarette butts from his high-rise window.

The National Environment Agency announced the 38-year-old man was ordered to pay $15,836 after investigators planted surveillance cameras outside his apartment building in response to repeated complaints about residents throwing litter from their windows.

The cameras caught the man throwing cigarette butts out of his window 34 times between March 13 and 16, 2014, investigators said.

The agency said the man, who was also ordered to complete five hours of community service on a Corrective Work Order, received the largest fine to date for an offense of high-rise littering.

The National Environment Agency said the surveillance camera was one of 600 set up at high rises around the country in an attempt to identify littering residents. The cameras have led to 206 people being penalized for violations, the agency said.