ICA seizes over 190 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes at Woodlands Checkpoint
Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers foiled an attempt to smuggle more than 190 cartons and 500 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore through Woodlands Checkpoint.
Directed Malaysia-registered car for enhanced checks
In a Facebook post on Tuesday (3 Nov), ICA said the cigarettes were detected on 30 Oct after officers directed a Malaysia-registered car for enhanced checks.
The cigarettes were found hidden in various modified compartments of the vehicle.
The 34-year-old male Malaysian driver and his 45-year-old male passenger were arrested in connection with the case.
Source: ICA on Facebook
Both suspects, along with the seized cigarettes, were subsequently referred to Singapore Customs for further investigations.
ICA did not disclose further details about the suspects or the estimated value of the seized cigarettes.
Source: ICA on Facebook
In its Facebook post, ICA reiterated its commitment to facilitating trade and travel while keeping the country’s borders safe and secure.
Netizens praise ICA for foiling smuggling attempt
A netizen called it a “good catch” and proposed compulsory caning as a penalty for smugglers.
Source: Facebook
A commenter also thanked the ICA for their hard work and keeping smugglers at bay.
Source: Facebook
A Facebook user also gave the thumbs up and said: “Well done ICA.”
Source: Facebook
Another netizen suggested that the recurrence of such incidents could be attributed to the leniency of the penalties.
Translation: When something like this keeps happening repeatedly, it must be because the profits are too high and the consequences too light
Source: Facebook
Offenders can be fined & jailed
According to Singapore Customs, buying, selling, storing or consuming duty-unpaid cigarettes is illegal and carries severe penalties.
Offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST evaded and/or jailed for up to six years.
Foreign students may also have their student passes revoked if caught.
Members of the public may also report any suspected customs offences via the following link: https://go.gov.sg/reportcustomsoffence.
Also read: Duty-unpaid cigarettes found in compartments of car at Woodlands Checkpoint, M’sian driver arrested
Duty-unpaid cigarettes found in compartments of car at Woodlands Checkpoint, M’sian driver arrested
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Featured image adapted from Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook.
