Malaysian arrested in Singapore with more than 700 cigarette cartons hidden in car panels
JOHOR BARU: Behind the car radio, inside door panels and beneath the boot lining, almost every hollow space in a Malaysia-registered car was used to conceal contraband cigarettes bound for Singapore.
On October 5, Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers intercepted a Malaysia-registered car at the Woodlands Checkpoint, discovering an extensive cache of contraband cigarettes hidden throughout the vehicle. The driver, a 32-year-old Malaysian, was subsequently arrested, along with the illicit haul. The seized contraband comprised over 700 cartons and 2,000 individual packets of cigarettes that had not paid the necessary taxes.
The discovery underscores the ongoing issue of cigarette smuggling despite Singapore's stringent measures against such activities. The lucrative black market for cigarettes, driven by high tobacco taxes, continues to attract smugglers. Under Singapore's Customs Act and Goods and Services Tax Act, individuals involved in smuggling duty-unpaid cigarettes can face severe penalties, including fines up to 40 times the duty and GST evaded, imprisonment for up to six years, or both.
In addition, the vehicles used and the proceeds from the illegal trade may be forfeited by authorities.
This intercept builds upon a similar incident in August, where ICA officers found more than 700 cartons and over 100 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in a modified compartment of another Malaysia-registered car at the same checkpoint. Despite the tough penalties in place, these smuggling attempts persist, demonstrating the persistent allure of the illegal cigarette trade.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
