Man caught for selling stolen cigarettes online illegally: HSA

SINGAPORE — A 19-year-old man has been caught for selling cigarettes illegally without a valid tobacco licence online, said the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on Monday (Jan 16).

Preliminary investigation showed the seller and three of his friends had stolen 48 packs of cigarettes from a supermarket and tried to resell them over the internet.

The suspect is assisting the police and HSA with investigations.

The illegal activity came to the authorities’ attention during one of its regular cyber-surveillance checks.

On Jan 10, the HSA officers conducted enforcement operations and caught the seller who had advertised the sale of cigarettes on an online platform at the price of S$10 per packet.

They found eight packets of Singapore duty-paid cigarettes at the seller’s residence.

The HSA warned that it is illegal to import, distribute or sell tobacco products without licence.

Convicted offenders may face a maximum fine of up to S$10,000.

For stealing, a convicted offender faces a jail term of up to seven years, and is also liable to a fine.

Members of the public with information on the illegal sale of tobacco products are advised to call the Tobacco Regulation Branch at 6684 2036 or 6684 2037 during office hours.