8 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes found hidden in bread at Woodlands Checkpoint
A Malaysian man was arrested on 7 April after duty-unpaid cigarettes were found hidden in a loaf of bread in his possession.
The contraband items were uncovered in his motorcycle at the Woodlands Checkpoint, said the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in a Facebook post on Tuesday (14 April).
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
Motorcycle directed for further checks at Woodlands Checkpoint
On that day, the Malaysia-registered motorcycle was attempting to enter Singapore, ICA said.
However, it was directed to undergo further checks by ICA officers.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
During the inspection, they noticed a loaf of bread in the centre basket of the vehicle.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
Packets of cigarettes sandwiched between slices of bread
Multiple packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were then discovered to be concealed within the bread.
ICA Search & Examination officers eventually retrieved eight packets in total from the loaf.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
According to an ICA photo, they were sandwiched between individual slices.
Man arrested for alleged attempted smuggling
A 49-year-old Malaysian man was arrested for the alleged attempt to smuggle duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore
The case was referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation.
ICA had previously said that border security is “a crucial aspect” of Singapore’s anti-vape enforcement strategy, adding:
As guardians of our borders, ICA is committed to facilitating trade & travel while keeping Singapore’s borders safe & secure.
Offence to import duty-unpaid cigarettes
Under the Customs Act and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act, buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, possessing, or dealing in duty-unpaid cigarettes are serious offences.
According to Singapore Customs, those convicted of offences involving duty-unpaid goods can be fined up to 40 times the amount of tax evaded and/or jailed for up to six years.
In February, ICA noted a significant increase in contraband smuggling attempts in its Annual Statistics for 2025.
There were 57,400 such cases foiled last year, a 30.6% jump from the 43,900 in 2024.
Several cases involved the smuggling of contraband cigarettes in cars with modified compartments or concealed among other goods in lorries, it added.
Also read: Chinese traveller declares 10 cartons of cigarettes at Changi Airport, ICA finds 218 cartons
Chinese traveller declares 10 cartons of cigarettes at Changi Airport, ICA finds 218 cartons
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Featured image adapted from Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook.
