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You Can't Keep Your Secrets From ICA
A Singaporean found this out when his attempt to smuggle contraband cigarettes were foiled by officers at Woodlands checkpoint. The man had tried to smuggle contraband cigarettes into Singapore by hiding the contraband in a secret compartment in his car but ICA officers managed to uncover his ‘secret’ compartment.
2 On 13 April 2006 at about 0040 hours, his Singapore-registered car was stopped by a checkpoint officer for a routine check at the Arrival Car Green Channel at Woodlands checkpoint. The 44-year-old male driver appeared nervous as the officer checked the vehicle. In the course of his search, the officer found some cartons of cigarettes hidden in the rear passenger seat. The officer, joined by two colleagues conducted a thorough check on the vehicle. They detected a secret compartment located behind the rear passenger seats and the car boot. There were cartons of cigarettes hidden in the secret compartment. A total of 56 cartons and 100 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found in the vehicle. The Singaporean driver admitted ownership of the contraband cigarettes.
3 The total amount of customs duties and Goods & Services Tax involved is estimated to be S$4,650 and S$290 respectively. The case was 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 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 contraband items.
5 We will continue to press ahead with our efforts to clamp down on smuggling. 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.
2 On 13 April 2006 at about 0040 hours, his Singapore-registered car was stopped by a checkpoint officer for a routine check at the Arrival Car Green Channel at Woodlands checkpoint. The 44-year-old male driver appeared nervous as the officer checked the vehicle. In the course of his search, the officer found some cartons of cigarettes hidden in the rear passenger seat. The officer, joined by two colleagues conducted a thorough check on the vehicle. They detected a secret compartment located behind the rear passenger seats and the car boot. There were cartons of cigarettes hidden in the secret compartment. A total of 56 cartons and 100 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found in the vehicle. The Singaporean driver admitted ownership of the contraband cigarettes.
3 The total amount of customs duties and Goods & Services Tax involved is estimated to be S$4,650 and S$290 respectively. The case was 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 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 contraband items.
5 We will continue to press ahead with our efforts to clamp down on smuggling. 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.