Back to top
ICA Foiled Attempts Of Contraband Cigarettes & Tobacco Smuggling Using Different Types Of Vehicles Within A Day
Within a day, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the Woodlands Checkpoint foiled three attempts of illegal smuggling of contraband cigarettes and chewing tobacco, concealed in three different types of vehicles. The same method of concealment used by contraband smugglers may be used by terrorists to smuggle arms and explosives to carry out attacks in Singapore.
Chewing tobacco found in luggage box of motorcycle
2. On 17 August 2015 at about 8.25am, a 43-year-old male Malaysian motorcyclist was directed for further checks upon arrival at Woodlands Checkpoint. During the course of inspection, two plastic bags containing chewing tobacco were found hidden in the luggage box of his motorcycle. Further inspection retrieved two packets of contraband cigarettes from the man’s pocket. A total of 1,080 sachets of chewing tobacco and 2 packets of contraband cigarettes were uncovered.
Contraband cigarettes found in modified compartments of car
3. The same day, at about 12.00pm, a Malaysia-registered car driven by a 29-year-old male Malaysian was directed for further checks upon arrival. A total of 124 cartons and 4 packets of contraband cigarettes were retrieved from the modified fuel tank and backseat of the car.
Contraband cigarettes found amongst consignments from a lorry
4. Later in the night at about 11.30pm, an arriving Malaysia-registered lorry driven by a 43-year-old male Malaysian was also directed for further checks. The lorry was declared to be carrying electric motors and carbon steel. Upon inspection, 31 sealed packages containing a total of 1,550 cartons of contraband cigarettes were found amongst the declared consignments.
5. A total of 1,080 sachets of chewing tobacco, 1,674 cartons and 6 packets of contraband cigarettes worth more than S$177,000 were seized from the three cases. The total duty as well as Goods and Services Tax (GST) evaded exceeded S$132,000 and S$12,000 respectively. The subjects, contraband items and vehicles for all cases were handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigations. The vehicles used in the commission of such offences are liable to be forfeited. Investigations are ongoing.
6. 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 in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contrabands.
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
18 August 2015
Annex A
Chewing tobacco retrieved from luggage box of motorcycle
From left: Contraband cigarettes hidden in the modified fuel tank and total exhibits seized from the car
Case 3: Contraband cigarettes found amongst consignments from lorry
From left: Contraband cigarettes hidden amongst consignment and total exhibits seized from the lorry
Chewing tobacco found in luggage box of motorcycle
2. On 17 August 2015 at about 8.25am, a 43-year-old male Malaysian motorcyclist was directed for further checks upon arrival at Woodlands Checkpoint. During the course of inspection, two plastic bags containing chewing tobacco were found hidden in the luggage box of his motorcycle. Further inspection retrieved two packets of contraband cigarettes from the man’s pocket. A total of 1,080 sachets of chewing tobacco and 2 packets of contraband cigarettes were uncovered.
Contraband cigarettes found in modified compartments of car
3. The same day, at about 12.00pm, a Malaysia-registered car driven by a 29-year-old male Malaysian was directed for further checks upon arrival. A total of 124 cartons and 4 packets of contraband cigarettes were retrieved from the modified fuel tank and backseat of the car.
Contraband cigarettes found amongst consignments from a lorry
4. Later in the night at about 11.30pm, an arriving Malaysia-registered lorry driven by a 43-year-old male Malaysian was also directed for further checks. The lorry was declared to be carrying electric motors and carbon steel. Upon inspection, 31 sealed packages containing a total of 1,550 cartons of contraband cigarettes were found amongst the declared consignments.
5. A total of 1,080 sachets of chewing tobacco, 1,674 cartons and 6 packets of contraband cigarettes worth more than S$177,000 were seized from the three cases. The total duty as well as Goods and Services Tax (GST) evaded exceeded S$132,000 and S$12,000 respectively. The subjects, contraband items and vehicles for all cases were handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigations. The vehicles used in the commission of such offences are liable to be forfeited. Investigations are ongoing.
6. 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 in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contrabands.
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
18 August 2015
Annex A
Case 1: Chewing tobacco found in luggage box of motorcycle
Chewing tobacco retrieved from luggage box of motorcycle
Case 2: Contraband cigarettes found in modified compartments of car
From left: Contraband cigarettes hidden in the modified fuel tank and total exhibits seized from the car
Case 3: Contraband cigarettes found amongst consignments from lorry
From left: Contraband cigarettes hidden amongst consignment and total exhibits seized from the lorry