Over 1,380 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes found in tyres of M’sia-registered pickup truck
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has once again busted the plans of potential smugglers, after it uncovered more than 1,380 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes about to be brought into Singapore.
They were hidden in the tyres of a Malaysia-registered pickup truck, said ICA in a Facebook post on Thursday (22 Oct).
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
Pickup truck directed for enhanced checks at Woodlands Checkpoint
On 11 Oct, the pickup truck attempted to enter Singapore via the Woodlands Checkpoint, ICA said.
However, ICA Search & Examination officers directed the Toyota for enhanced checks.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
Tyres of pickup truck sliced open, cigarettes found in rims
ICA’s video showed officers using a cutter to slice open the truck’s tyres.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
Inside the tyres, numerous white bundles were visible.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
Next, they removed the contents piece by piece, which were revealed to be cigarette packets.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
Eventually, more than 1,380 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found to have been concealed within the tyre rims.
23-year-old M’sian man arrested
The authorities subsequently arrested the driver, a 23-year-old Malaysian man, in connection with the suspected attempt to smuggle duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore.
Both the items and the man were referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
In the Facebook post, ICA affirmed its mission as “Guardians of Our Borders” to facilitate trade and travel while keeping Singapore’s borders safe and 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.
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.
The authorities foiled 57,400 such cases 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: Duty-unpaid cigarettes found hidden in tyres of car at Woodlands Checkpoint, M’sian man arrested
Duty-unpaid cigarettes found hidden in tyres of car at Woodlands Checkpoint, M’sian man arrested
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Featured image adapted from Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook.
