On 7 February 2018 at about 1pm, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers directed an arriving Singapore-registered tour bus for further checks at Tuas checkpoint. The bus was driven by a 57-year-old Singaporean man.

2.       During the course of inspection, ICA officers found 1,057 cartons and 10 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes concealed within modified compartments behind the driver seat, floor board and undercarriage of the bus. The driver, duty-unpaid cigarettes, and vehicle were handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigations. The vehicle used in the commission of such offences is liable to be forfeited.

3.       The duty and Goods and Services Tax of the duty-unpaid cigarettes amounted to about S$82,100 and S$6,040 respectively.

4.       Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore's security. The security checks are critical to our nation’s security. The ICA will continue to conduct security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband.  The same methods of concealment used by contraband smugglers may be used by terrorists to smuggle arms and explosives to carry out attacks in Singapore.

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
9 FEBRUARY 2018

ICA Photos

 

 

Total exhibits seized by ICA officers

 

 

Duty-unpaid cigarettes concealed in the modified floorboard

 

 

Duty-unpaid cigarettes concealed in the modified undercarriage compartment

 

Duty-unpaid cigarettes detected behind the driver’s seat