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Cover Blown By Eye-Catching Derriere
There aren’t many jobs in the world that give you the licence to closely examine the rear, although the derrière in question belonged to a 40-footer trailer.
2. The trailer arrived at the Woodlands Checkpoint on 21 April 2008, at around 11pm. A quick check immediately aroused the suspicions of the officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). The rear of the trailer, at the floorboard, appeared to have undergone some recent modifications, such as a fresh coat of paint. When the floorboards were removed, three secret compartments were discovered at the back of the trailer. Each compartment housed a ‘drawer’ that spanned almost the entire length of the trailer. The drawers were filled with contraband cigarettes, which were pulled out by the ICA officers.
3. A total of 2,009 cartons of contraband cigarettes were found on the vehicle. The estimated market value, customs duty and Goods & Services Tax (GST) involved are: $180,810, $141,400 and $12,800 respectively. The cigarettes and the lone driver, a 27-year-old Malaysian, have been handed over to the Singapore Customs for investigations.
Penalties
4. Buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, having in possession or dealing with contraband cigarettes are serious offences under the Customs and GST Acts. Stiff penalties are imposed for such offences. Upon conviction by the court, first time offenders can be fined up to a maximum of 20 times the amount of duty evaded. For second or subsequent convictions, offenders can be jailed for up to two years, as well as being fined. The offenders also face further fines based on the amount of GST evaded. The vehicles used in the commission of the offence are also liable to forfeiture. The public are also advised against buying duty-unpaid cigarettes. For a packet of duty-unpaid cigarettes, buyers stand to face a minimum fine of up to $500 or prosecution in Court.
Security of Singapore’s borders
5. Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore's security. The enhanced security checks are critical to our nation’s security especially with the escape of Mas Selamat Kastari. We have tightened our security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contrabands. 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. ICA will put in every effort and continue to take the necessary measures to improve clearance efficiency as much as possible without compromising security. We seek your continued understanding and cooperation, and warn potential smugglers against bringing unlawful goods into Singapore. If caught, ICA officers will not hesitate to hand them over to be taken to task by the relevant authorities.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
22 April 2008
2. The trailer arrived at the Woodlands Checkpoint on 21 April 2008, at around 11pm. A quick check immediately aroused the suspicions of the officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA). The rear of the trailer, at the floorboard, appeared to have undergone some recent modifications, such as a fresh coat of paint. When the floorboards were removed, three secret compartments were discovered at the back of the trailer. Each compartment housed a ‘drawer’ that spanned almost the entire length of the trailer. The drawers were filled with contraband cigarettes, which were pulled out by the ICA officers.
3. A total of 2,009 cartons of contraband cigarettes were found on the vehicle. The estimated market value, customs duty and Goods & Services Tax (GST) involved are: $180,810, $141,400 and $12,800 respectively. The cigarettes and the lone driver, a 27-year-old Malaysian, have been handed over to the Singapore Customs for investigations.
Penalties
4. Buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, having in possession or dealing with contraband cigarettes are serious offences under the Customs and GST Acts. Stiff penalties are imposed for such offences. Upon conviction by the court, first time offenders can be fined up to a maximum of 20 times the amount of duty evaded. For second or subsequent convictions, offenders can be jailed for up to two years, as well as being fined. The offenders also face further fines based on the amount of GST evaded. The vehicles used in the commission of the offence are also liable to forfeiture. The public are also advised against buying duty-unpaid cigarettes. For a packet of duty-unpaid cigarettes, buyers stand to face a minimum fine of up to $500 or prosecution in Court.
Security of Singapore’s borders
5. Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore's security. The enhanced security checks are critical to our nation’s security especially with the escape of Mas Selamat Kastari. We have tightened our security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contrabands. 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. ICA will put in every effort and continue to take the necessary measures to improve clearance efficiency as much as possible without compromising security. We seek your continued understanding and cooperation, and warn potential smugglers against bringing unlawful goods into Singapore. If caught, ICA officers will not hesitate to hand them over to be taken to task by the relevant authorities.
END OF NEWS RELEASE
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority
22 April 2008