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ICA Capsizes Attempt to Smuggle Contraband Cigarettes Using Sampan
Thanks (or no thanks, depending on whose side you are on) to a tip-off received by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), our officers at ICA’s Coastal Command intercepted a motorised sampan that was used to smuggle contraband cigarettes in Singapore waters.
2. The case took place on 1 September 2006, at the south of Jurong Island. Our officers began the stake-out shortly after midnight. At around 5am, our target arrived. Officers from our Anti-Smuggling Team quickly spotted the sampan in the darkness and intercepted it. A search on the sampan was swiftly conducted. A mere 10 minutes later, contraband cigarettes were found onboard and under the floorboards. A total of 700 cartons of cigarettes were found.
3. The three Singaporean men who were onboard the sampan admitted ownership of the cigarettes found. The men (aged between 43 and 53) were immediately placed under arrest and escorted to the headquarters of ICA’s Coastal Command on Pulau Brani for further investigations. ICA’s records also revealed that one of them had a previous conviction of harbouring.
4. The Customs duty, GST and value of the cigarettes are estimated to be at $59,840, $3,500 and $69,860 respectively. The three men, the motorised sampan and the contraband cigarettes have been handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigation.
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 Day One of ICA’s formation, securing Singapore’s borders is a non-negotiable item on our to-do list. ICA will continue to tighten checks and step up enforcement action. Would-be smugglers should think twice about who they are up against, before trying to smuggle unlawful goods into Singapore.
2. The case took place on 1 September 2006, at the south of Jurong Island. Our officers began the stake-out shortly after midnight. At around 5am, our target arrived. Officers from our Anti-Smuggling Team quickly spotted the sampan in the darkness and intercepted it. A search on the sampan was swiftly conducted. A mere 10 minutes later, contraband cigarettes were found onboard and under the floorboards. A total of 700 cartons of cigarettes were found.
3. The three Singaporean men who were onboard the sampan admitted ownership of the cigarettes found. The men (aged between 43 and 53) were immediately placed under arrest and escorted to the headquarters of ICA’s Coastal Command on Pulau Brani for further investigations. ICA’s records also revealed that one of them had a previous conviction of harbouring.
4. The Customs duty, GST and value of the cigarettes are estimated to be at $59,840, $3,500 and $69,860 respectively. The three men, the motorised sampan and the contraband cigarettes have been handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigation.
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 Day One of ICA’s formation, securing Singapore’s borders is a non-negotiable item on our to-do list. ICA will continue to tighten checks and step up enforcement action. Would-be smugglers should think twice about who they are up against, before trying to smuggle unlawful goods into Singapore.