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A Riveting Discovery at the Checkpoint
It was the freshly-painted rivets on the container lorry that kept our officers riveted. Suspecting that there could be something amiss, they took a closer look at the vehicle. The inner length of the container was observed to be significantly shorter than its exterior.
2. The Malaysian-registered lorry, which had arrived at the cargo complex of Woodlands Checkpoint on 7 January 2008, at around 8.20pm, was then directed for further checks. It did not take long for the secret compartment to be uncovered. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers soon discovered that duty-unpaid cigarettes were hidden at the front of the container, just behind the driver.
3. A total of 450 cartons of cigarettes were found hidden on the lorry. The total market value is estimated to be around S$40,500, while the Customs duties and GST involved are estimated to be about S$31,680 and S$2,835 respectively.
4. When interviewed, the 36-year-old Malaysian driver admitted that he knew of the cigarettes, and claimed that the “job” was given to him by loan-sharks that he owed RM$30,000 to. He would be paid RM$900 if his delivery was successful.
5. The case has been handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigations.
Penalties
6. 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.
Security implications of smuggling
7. As our country's first line of defence against terrorist threats, ICA has a duty to ensure the security and safety of Singapore. 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 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. We would like to advise the public against smuggling unlawful goods into Singapore.
2. The Malaysian-registered lorry, which had arrived at the cargo complex of Woodlands Checkpoint on 7 January 2008, at around 8.20pm, was then directed for further checks. It did not take long for the secret compartment to be uncovered. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers soon discovered that duty-unpaid cigarettes were hidden at the front of the container, just behind the driver.
3. A total of 450 cartons of cigarettes were found hidden on the lorry. The total market value is estimated to be around S$40,500, while the Customs duties and GST involved are estimated to be about S$31,680 and S$2,835 respectively.
4. When interviewed, the 36-year-old Malaysian driver admitted that he knew of the cigarettes, and claimed that the “job” was given to him by loan-sharks that he owed RM$30,000 to. He would be paid RM$900 if his delivery was successful.
5. The case has been handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigations.
Penalties
6. 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.
Security implications of smuggling
7. As our country's first line of defence against terrorist threats, ICA has a duty to ensure the security and safety of Singapore. 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 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. We would like to advise the public against smuggling unlawful goods into Singapore.