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ICA and Police Unearth Deep, Dark Cigarettes
The dark night failed to dim the officers’ vigilance. On 26 September 2006, at around 8pm, ICA and Police Coast Guard officers jointly conducted a routine check on an Indonesian barge anchored at Pasir Ris Aggregate (a docking area near Lorong Halus). The barge was used to deliver sand to Singapore.
2. The officers kept a keen watch while the sand was being discharged from the barge. Officers then mounted their checks. The loot was soon discovered, hidden in a manhole. A total of 1,500 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found.
3. The Customs duty, GST and value of the cigarettes are estimated to be at $110,000, $6,900 and $138,000 respectively. Of the six men onboard the vessel (Indonesians aged between 24 and 50), four admitted knowledge of the cigarettes. When interviewed, they claimed that the cigarettes were purchased in Indonesia and would be resold in Singapore for a profit.
4. The six men and the contraband cigarettes have been handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigation. The vessel will be detained until investigations have been completed.
Penalties
5. 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.
Securing Singapore’s borders
6. Since its formation on 1 April 2003, ICA has been safeguarding Singapore's borders against the entry of undesirable persons, cargo and conveyances through our land, air and sea checkpoints. ICA will continue to work with its strategic partners, such as the Police Coast Guard, to tighten checks and mount enforcement operations. Would-be smugglers should think twice about who they are up against, before trying to smuggle unlawful goods into Singapore.
2. The officers kept a keen watch while the sand was being discharged from the barge. Officers then mounted their checks. The loot was soon discovered, hidden in a manhole. A total of 1,500 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found.
3. The Customs duty, GST and value of the cigarettes are estimated to be at $110,000, $6,900 and $138,000 respectively. Of the six men onboard the vessel (Indonesians aged between 24 and 50), four admitted knowledge of the cigarettes. When interviewed, they claimed that the cigarettes were purchased in Indonesia and would be resold in Singapore for a profit.
4. The six men and the contraband cigarettes have been handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigation. The vessel will be detained until investigations have been completed.
Penalties
5. 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.
Securing Singapore’s borders
6. Since its formation on 1 April 2003, ICA has been safeguarding Singapore's borders against the entry of undesirable persons, cargo and conveyances through our land, air and sea checkpoints. ICA will continue to work with its strategic partners, such as the Police Coast Guard, to tighten checks and mount enforcement operations. Would-be smugglers should think twice about who they are up against, before trying to smuggle unlawful goods into Singapore.