Man tries to smuggle more than 2,000 contraband cigarette cartons
SINGAPORE — A 24-year-old man tried to smuggle more than 2,000 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes in a Malaysian-registered bus he was driving on Sunday night (March 19).
The total amount of cigarettes seized (top), which were hidden in the roof compartment (bottom left), the air con duct (bottom, middle) and the roof luggage compartment. Photo: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
SINGAPORE — A 24-year-old man tried to smuggle more than 2,000 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes in a Malaysian-registered bus he was driving on Sunday night (March 19).
Officers had directed the bus for further checks upon its arrival at Tuas Checkpoint at about 10pm and during the course of checks, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers found a total of 2,041 cartons and 60 packets of contraband cigarettes concealed in a modified air-con duct, a modified luggage compartment, and the roof compartment of the bus, ICA said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Malaysian driver, seized items and the bus were handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigations. The vehicle used in the commission of such offences is also liable to be forfeited.
According to the ICA, the potential duty as well as Goods and Services Tax of the duty-unpaid cigarettes evaded amounted to about S$158,840 and S$11,770, respectively.
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