Over 9,300 sticks of duty-unpaid cigarettes found concealed in instant noodles consignment
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) left potential smugglers stranded when they recently uncovered more than 9,300 sticks of duty-unpaid cigarettes about to be brought into Singapore.
The contraband was later found hidden in a consignment of instant noodles, ICA said in a Facebook post on Thursday (21 May).
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
Consignment of instant noodles targeted for X-ray
On 12 May, a cargo consignment was targeted for X-ray screening at Changi Airfreight Centre.
This was based on information received by ICA’s Integrated Targeting Centre (ITC).
Source: Google Maps
The consignment was declared as one of instant noodles, ICA said.
Duty-unpaid cigarettes found hidden within parcels of noodles
ICA Search and Examinations officers detected anomalies in the scanned images of the consignment.
Upon further examination, they found duty-unpaid cigarettes concealed within the parcels.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
These items were then referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
ICA committed to securing Singapore’s borders
ICA said that it is “committed to facilitating trade and travel” while keeping Singapore’s borders safe and secure.
Previously, it said that it would continue to use technology and data analytics to strengthen its capability to target and detect.
In conducting security checks at checkpoints, it pledged to prevent drugs, undesirable persons, weapons, explosives and other contrabands from entering Singapore illegally.
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 container carrying lightbulbs at Pasir Panjang
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Featured image adapted from Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook.
