Over 500 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes found in Malaysia-registered motorcycle
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) thwarted the plans of potential smugglers when it recently uncovered more than 500 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes about to be brought into Singapore.
They were hidden under the seat of a Malaysia-registered motorcycle, said ICA in a Facebook post on Friday (17 July).
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
Motorcycle directed for enhanced checks at Tuas Checkpoint
On 7 July, the motorcycle attempted to enter Singapore via Tuas Checkpoint, ICA said.
However, ICA Search & Examination officers directed it for enhanced checks.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
Officers found the duty-unpaid cigarettes in a compartment under the motorcycle seat, which the suspect had allegedly modified to conceal them.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
Malaysian man arrested
The motorcyclist, a 27-year-old Malaysian man, was arrested on suspicion of attempting 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: Duty-unpaid cigarettes found in engine compartment of M’sia-registered bus, M’sian driver arrested
Duty-unpaid cigarettes found in engine compartment of M’sia-registered bus, M’sian driver arrested
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Featured image adapted from Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook.
