Over 1,200 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes found in Singapore-registered rental car
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) yet again foiled the plans of potential smugglers when it uncovered more than 1,200 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes about to be brought into Singapore.
They were hidden in the tyres of a Singapore-registered rental car, said ICA in a Facebook post last Friday (24 July).
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
Car directed for enhanced checks at Woodlands Checkpoint
On 16 July, the car attempted to enter Singapore via Woodlands Checkpoint, ICA said.
However, ICA Search & Examination officers directed it for enhanced checks.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
This came after they noticed that a rear tyre had been punctured, with masking tape and Styrofoam inside its rim.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
ICA officers slice open car tyres, cigarettes found inside
ICA’s video showed officers using a cutter to slice open the car’s tyres.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
Inside the tyres, yellow packets were visible.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
Officers soon discovered more than 1,200 packets of cigarettes, hidden inside four punctured tyres and one spare tyre.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
Singaporean man arrested
The authorities subsequently arrested a 47-year-old Singaporean 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 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: ICA seizes over 1,000 vapes hidden in car’s spare tyre compartment at Woodlands Checkpoint
ICA seizes over 1,000 vapes hidden in car’s spare tyre compartment at Woodlands Checkpoint
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Featured image adapted from Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook.
