M'sian man, 23, arrested for attempting to smuggle over 1,380 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes in tyre rims via Woodlands Checkpoint
ICA officers sliced open the tyres and uncovered rows of tightly packed cigarette boxes wrapped in plastic.
A Malaysian man, aged 23, was apprehended at the Woodlands Checkpoint on October 11, 2023, while attempting to smuggle over 1,380 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore. The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) revealed that the accused drove a Malaysia-registered pickup truck through the checkpoint and was subjected to enhanced checks.
Upon inspection, the tires of the vehicle were found to contain the illicit contraband. The seized cigarettes were displayed in video footage of the incident, with the total amount covering two tables at the checkpoint. The ICA's Search and Examination officers subsequently referred the exhibits and suspect to Singapore Customs for further investigation.
Under Singapore's Customs Act and Goods and Services Tax Act, the act of buying, selling, or dealing with duty-unpaid goods is a severe offense, with penalties that include fines up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST evaded, and imprisonment for up to six years. The seized vehicles and the proceeds from their sale may also be forfeited.
The ICA stated that they are committed to maintaining Singapore's borders secure and ensuring the smooth flow of trade and travel.
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