Source: ICA on Facebook
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has foiled another smuggling attempt, this time intercepting 1,488 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in a Malaysia-registered bus at Woodlands Checkpoint.
In a Facebook post on Monday (2 March), ICA stated that a 43-year-old male Malaysian driver was arrested in connection with the case.
Source: ICA on Facebook
The incident occurred on 24 Feb, when ICA officers directed a Malaysia-registered bus for enhanced checks.
This was after ICA Image Analysts noticed anomalies in scanned images of the bus.
During checks, officers discovered multiple cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in the rear luggage compartment of the vehicle.
ICA seized a total of 1,488 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes.
Source: ICA on Facebook
The exhibits and suspect were referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation, according to ICA.
Source: ICA on Facebook
In the Facebook post, the agency added: “ICA is committed to facilitating trade and travel while keeping Singapore’s borders safe and sound.”
ICA highlighted that contraband smuggling attempts have increased by roughly 30.6%, from 43,900 to 57,400, between 2024 and 2025.
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.
Offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST evaded, jailed for up to six years, or both.
Also read: 30.6% increase in foiled contraband smuggling attempts in 2025, ICA seized over 350,000 vapes
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Featured image adapted from Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook.