5 men arrested for alleged smuggling near Marina South Wharves
They were allegedly involved in a vessel-to-shore contraband smuggling of duty-unpaid cigarettes.
On October 13, five men ranging in age from 30 to 47 were arrested near Marina South Wharves for allegedly smuggling duty-unpaid cigarettes. The Singapore Police Force and Singapore Customs announced the arrests in a joint statement on October 15. According to the authorities, the men were part of a "vessel-to-shore contraband smuggling" operation conducted by officers from the Police Coast Guard (PCG) and Police Intelligence Department.
The PCG arrested a 44-year-old Indonesian on the shore, while three other Indonesians, aged between 30 and 36, were seized on board a Singapore-flagged vessel docked at the location. A 47-year-old Singaporean was arrested for his role in transporting the contraband cigarettes. In total, 238 cartons and 120 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were seized during the operation, authorities reported.
The smuggling charges have been forwarded to Singapore Customs for further proceedings. Individuals found guilty of buying, selling, transporting, or dealing in duty-unpaid cigarettes could face fines up to 20 times the evaded duty and goods and services tax, as well as up to two years in prison. The vessel involved in the alleged offenses will be seized for investigation.
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