8 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes found hidden in bread at Woodlands Checkpoint
Authorities arrested a Malaysian man on 7 April after they found duty-unpaid cigarettes in a loaf of bread in his possession.
Officers uncovered contraband items in his motorcycle at Woodlands Checkpoint, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said 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 man was attempting to enter Singapore using a Malaysia-registered motorcycle, ICA said.
However, ICA officers directed him to undergo further checks.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
During the inspection, they noticed a loaf of bread in the vehicle’s centre basket.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
Packets of cigarettes sandwiched between slices of bread
Officers uncovered multiple packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes 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
Authorities arrested a 49-year-old Malaysian man for allegedly attempting 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.
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: 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.
