SINGAPORE: In a span of one week, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) foiled five separate smuggling cases and seized a total of 2,900 cartons of contraband cigarettes.
The consignments imported via air arrived between July 17 to July 23. Three of the cases were discovered at Changi Airfeight Centre, while the other two were found at Air Cargo Express (ACE) Hub.
The total duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST) evaded exceeded S$246,500, ICA said in a press release.
The first three cases at Changi Airfreight Centre all involved contraband cigarettes hidden within boxes declared to be air filters.
On July 17, a lorry driven by a 28-year-old Chinese national delivering six boxes of air filters was found to be hiding 300 cartons of cigarettes.
On July 18, a lorry occupied by two Singaporean males, aged 56 and 58, was delivering 16 boxes of air filters found to contain 800 cartons of cigarettes. Later that day, a lorry delivering air filters and driven by a 38-year-old Singaporean was found to have 300 cartons.
The other two smuggling cases occurred at ACE Hub. On July 22, ICA officers discovered that 22 packages that were declared to contain clothing instead concealed a total of 1,200 cartons of contraband cigarettes.
The next day, on July 23, four packages declared as “Sanitary Towels Tampons Napkins Liners” instead contained 300 cartons of contraband cigarettes.
ICA noted that the same method of concealment could similarly be used to smuggle dangerous materials such as weapons or explosives into Singapore.
All those involved in the cases along with exhibits and vehicles for the five cases were handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigations. The vehicles invovled in the cases are also liable to be forfeited, the ICA added. Investigations are ongoing.
