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Double, double toil and trouble
Two cars with two modified fuel tanks turned out to be all toil and trouble for the drivers when they were arrested for trying to smuggle duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore. Both smuggling attempts were stopped in their tracks by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the Woodlands Checkpoint this morning.
Case 1
2. A Malaysian-registered car was singled out for further checks at the arrival car bay of Woodlands Checkpoint on 5 December 2006, at around 7.55am. In the course of the checks, the vigilant and observant ICA officers noticed that the undercarriage of the car was unusually low. When they lifted the rear passenger seat to check, they noticed that the fuel tank was modified, with cigarettes hidden in it. A total of 214 packets of cigarettes of various brands were found. The lone driver, a 31-year-old Malaysian, was immediately placed under arrest.
4. When interviewed, the driver admitted that he was aware of the contraband cigarettes hidden in his car. He had modified his car with the help of a friend in Malaysia. He revealed that he had planned to sell the cigarettes to supplement his income.
5. The Customs duty and GST payable for the cigarettes are estimated to be $1,507 and $96.30 respectively.
Case 2
6. The other case was detected nearly two hours later, at around 9.50am. Another Malaysian-registered car was directed to further checks at the arrival car bay of Woodlands Checkpoint. Once again, the officers noticed that the undercarriage of the car was unusually low. As they lifted the rear passenger seat, they found that the fuel tank had been modified. Some 209 packets of cigarettes were hidden in it. The driver was immediately placed under arrest. When interviewed, the 29-year-old Malaysian claimed that his friend had loaded the cigarettes into the secret compartment. He would then be paid RM$250 if the delivery was successful.
7. The Customs duty and GST payable for the cigarettes are estimated to be $1,471 and $94.05 respectively.
Penalties
8. Both drivers and the contraband cigarettes have been handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigations.
9. 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 checks at our checkpoints
10. 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. We would like to advise the public against smuggling unlawful goods into Singapore.
Case 1
2. A Malaysian-registered car was singled out for further checks at the arrival car bay of Woodlands Checkpoint on 5 December 2006, at around 7.55am. In the course of the checks, the vigilant and observant ICA officers noticed that the undercarriage of the car was unusually low. When they lifted the rear passenger seat to check, they noticed that the fuel tank was modified, with cigarettes hidden in it. A total of 214 packets of cigarettes of various brands were found. The lone driver, a 31-year-old Malaysian, was immediately placed under arrest.
4. When interviewed, the driver admitted that he was aware of the contraband cigarettes hidden in his car. He had modified his car with the help of a friend in Malaysia. He revealed that he had planned to sell the cigarettes to supplement his income.
5. The Customs duty and GST payable for the cigarettes are estimated to be $1,507 and $96.30 respectively.
Case 2
6. The other case was detected nearly two hours later, at around 9.50am. Another Malaysian-registered car was directed to further checks at the arrival car bay of Woodlands Checkpoint. Once again, the officers noticed that the undercarriage of the car was unusually low. As they lifted the rear passenger seat, they found that the fuel tank had been modified. Some 209 packets of cigarettes were hidden in it. The driver was immediately placed under arrest. When interviewed, the 29-year-old Malaysian claimed that his friend had loaded the cigarettes into the secret compartment. He would then be paid RM$250 if the delivery was successful.
7. The Customs duty and GST payable for the cigarettes are estimated to be $1,471 and $94.05 respectively.
Penalties
8. Both drivers and the contraband cigarettes have been handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigations.
9. 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 checks at our checkpoints
10. 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. We would like to advise the public against smuggling unlawful goods into Singapore.