SINGAPORE: Three separate attempts to smuggle in contraband cigarettes were foiled at the Woodlands checkpoint over the past two days, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a news release on Friday.
The first case, which took place on Wednesday at about 7am, involved a 31-year-old Malaysian. A total of 246 cartons of contraband cigarettes were uncovered in the modified floorboard of the Malaysia-registered car, it said.
About an hour later, another Malaysia-registered car was directed for routine checks upon arrival at the checkpoint. A total of 96 cartons and 948 packets of contraband cigarettes were found concealed in various parts of the car, driven by a 26-year-old male Malaysian.
According to ICA, the third case occurred at about 3am the following day. A Malaysia-registered lorry driven by a 35-year-old male Malaysian was directed for further inspection after officers noticed anomalies in the scanned image.
The consignment, declared as “3,200 cartons of assorted packet drinks”, had a total of 959 cartons of contraband cigarettes placed among the packet drinks as well as in the rear compartment and toolbox compartment of the lorry, it said.
The total potential customs duty and GST evaded amounted to about S$108,314 and S$10,337, respectively, ICA said, adding that investigations are ongoing.
