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ICA Foils Smuggling Attempt At Tuas Checkpoint
While many Singaporeans are in bed dreaming of their favourite team’s triumph at the World Cup, ICA officers are on constant alert at the checkpoints 24/7, keeping Singapore safe and secure. A 40-year-old Malaysian man found out that ICA officers at Tuas Checkpoint maintained a high level of vigilance even in the early hours of the morning when he was caught for trying to smuggle contraband cigarettes. He had hidden the cigarettes in a modified fuel tank in his car to escape detection at the checkpoint. However, his efforts were in vain as ICA officers found the 99 cartons of contraband cigarettes that were hidden in his car.
2 On 1 July 06 at about 0630 hours, the Malaysian’s car was stopped at the Arrival Car Green Channel for a routine check. The man appeared very nervous when he was interviewed by the officer. This raised the officer’s suspicions and he directed the car to the inspection pit for a thorough check. The officer’s suspicions were confirmed when he and his colleagues found cartons of contraband cigarettes hidden in the modified fuel tank located behind the rear passenger seat of the car. The 40-year-old driver was immediately placed under arrest and the car seized. Preliminary investigations showed that he was promised RM300 to smuggle the contraband cigarettes to a carpark in Punggol.
3 The total amount of customs duties and Goods & Services Tax involved is estimated to be S$7,000 and S$450 respectively. The case has been referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation. 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.
4 Being the guardian of Singapore’s checkpoints, ICA is acutely aware that our borders are the first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore’s security against possible terrorist attacks. The increased security checks at all our checkpoints are critical to our nation’s security, especially since terrorism remains a clear and present threat to Singapore. ICA now conducts 100 per cent checks on persons, cargo and conveyances that pass through our checkpoints. These enhanced security checks have been effective in helping to detect cases of smuggling illegal goods and illegal immigrants. We would like to advise the public against smuggling unlawful goods and persons into and out of Singapore.
2 On 1 July 06 at about 0630 hours, the Malaysian’s car was stopped at the Arrival Car Green Channel for a routine check. The man appeared very nervous when he was interviewed by the officer. This raised the officer’s suspicions and he directed the car to the inspection pit for a thorough check. The officer’s suspicions were confirmed when he and his colleagues found cartons of contraband cigarettes hidden in the modified fuel tank located behind the rear passenger seat of the car. The 40-year-old driver was immediately placed under arrest and the car seized. Preliminary investigations showed that he was promised RM300 to smuggle the contraband cigarettes to a carpark in Punggol.
3 The total amount of customs duties and Goods & Services Tax involved is estimated to be S$7,000 and S$450 respectively. The case has been referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation. 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.
4 Being the guardian of Singapore’s checkpoints, ICA is acutely aware that our borders are the first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore’s security against possible terrorist attacks. The increased security checks at all our checkpoints are critical to our nation’s security, especially since terrorism remains a clear and present threat to Singapore. ICA now conducts 100 per cent checks on persons, cargo and conveyances that pass through our checkpoints. These enhanced security checks have been effective in helping to detect cases of smuggling illegal goods and illegal immigrants. We would like to advise the public against smuggling unlawful goods and persons into and out of Singapore.