The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has once again thwarted plans of potential smugglers, after it uncovered more than 980 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes about to be brought into Singapore.
They were hidden in the tyres of a Malaysia-registered car, said ICA in a Facebook post on Tuesday (13 Oct).
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
On 26 Sept, the car attempted to enter Singapore via Woodlands Checkpoint, ICA said.
However, ICA Search & Examination officers directed the Nissan for enhanced checks.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
ICA’s photo showed that its tyres were sliced open, revealing more than 980 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes concealed inside.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
The authorities subsequently arrested the driver, a 31-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 its Facebook post, ICA affirmed its mission as “Guardians of Our Borders” to facilitate trade and travel while keeping Singapore’s borders safe and secure.
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, S’porean arrested
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Featured image adapted from Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook.