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Singaporean's Attempt to Smuggle Contraband Cigarettes Fell Flat
On 11 Apr 2006 at about 1225 hours, a Singaporean man tried to smuggle contraband cigarettes into Singapore by hiding them in the spare tyre compartment and another secret compartment in the car boot. However, his smuggling attempt fell flat when ICA officers at Woodlands checkpoint uncovered his secret stash during a routine check. A total of 85 cartons and 60 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found in the car.
2 The 45-year-old man's Singapore-registered Mercedes was stopped at Woodlands checkpoint at the Arrival Car Green Channel for a routine check. The eagle-eyed ICA officer detected some cartons of cigarettes hidden in the spare tyre compartment of the car. The car was quickly directed to the inspection pit for a thorough check. Two officers joined him to conduct a check on the car and their efforts paid off when they uncovered a secret compartment in the car boot hiding more contraband cigarettes. The driver was immediately placed under arrest and the car seized.
3 Preliminary investigations revealed that the Singaporean man was approached by a Malaysian man to help him to smuggle contraband cigarettes into Singapore. He was allegedly promised S$10 for every carton of cigarettes smuggled into Singapore. The total amount of customs duties and Goods & Services Tax involved is estimated to be S$6,400 and S$410 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 ICA will continue to remain vigilant, including and especially during the peak periods, as would-be offenders may take advantage of the peak period to try their luck in bringing unlawful goods into Singapore. 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. We will like to advise travellers not to bring in unlawful/prohibited goods into Singapore, as this will inconvenience them and other checkpoint users. A (non-exhaustive) list of controlled and prohibited items can be found on the ICA website at http://www.ica.gov.sg under 'Travellers Information Guide'.
2 The 45-year-old man's Singapore-registered Mercedes was stopped at Woodlands checkpoint at the Arrival Car Green Channel for a routine check. The eagle-eyed ICA officer detected some cartons of cigarettes hidden in the spare tyre compartment of the car. The car was quickly directed to the inspection pit for a thorough check. Two officers joined him to conduct a check on the car and their efforts paid off when they uncovered a secret compartment in the car boot hiding more contraband cigarettes. The driver was immediately placed under arrest and the car seized.
3 Preliminary investigations revealed that the Singaporean man was approached by a Malaysian man to help him to smuggle contraband cigarettes into Singapore. He was allegedly promised S$10 for every carton of cigarettes smuggled into Singapore. The total amount of customs duties and Goods & Services Tax involved is estimated to be S$6,400 and S$410 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 ICA will continue to remain vigilant, including and especially during the peak periods, as would-be offenders may take advantage of the peak period to try their luck in bringing unlawful goods into Singapore. 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. We will like to advise travellers not to bring in unlawful/prohibited goods into Singapore, as this will inconvenience them and other checkpoint users. A (non-exhaustive) list of controlled and prohibited items can be found on the ICA website at http://www.ica.gov.sg under 'Travellers Information Guide'.