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ICA Arrested Wanted Person and Foiled Attempt to Smuggle 8,000 Cartons of Contraband Cigarettes Onboard a Vessel
On 2 Mar 2006 at about 0020 hours, the Anti-Smuggling Team (AST) from Coastal Command, ICA intercepted and boarded a locally registered crew boat at Jurong River. The boat was manned by the Master and his deckhand. Our observant ICA officers noticed that the 48-year-old deckhand appeared very nervous when he was asked to produce his identity card. This caused our ICA officers to suspect that the seamen might be involved in some smuggling activity. A check in the engine room confirmed the ICA officers’ suspicions when they found boxes wrapped in black trash bags that contained cigarettes.
2 A thorough check was conducted and ICA officers found about 8,000 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes and 40kg of shag tobacco hidden in the engine room and cargo compartment. Upon screening, the Master, a 53-year-old Singaporean was also found to be a wanted person. He was placed immediately under arrest together with the deckhand, also a Singaporean. Preliminary investigations showed that the two had picked up the contraband from six Indonesian motor sampans on 1 Mar 06 at about 2100 hours. Their role was to transport the contraband to Jurong River where they would be given further instructions by phone.
3 The total amount of customs duties and Goods & Services Tax involved is estimated to be S$690,700 and S$45,100 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 2 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 other contraband. At the sea checkpoints, ICA's Anti-Smuggling Teams also perform ship rummaging to detect smuggling of illegal immigrants, contrabands and prohibited items on targeted vessels. We would like to advise the public against smuggling unlawful goods into Singapore.
2 A thorough check was conducted and ICA officers found about 8,000 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes and 40kg of shag tobacco hidden in the engine room and cargo compartment. Upon screening, the Master, a 53-year-old Singaporean was also found to be a wanted person. He was placed immediately under arrest together with the deckhand, also a Singaporean. Preliminary investigations showed that the two had picked up the contraband from six Indonesian motor sampans on 1 Mar 06 at about 2100 hours. Their role was to transport the contraband to Jurong River where they would be given further instructions by phone.
3 The total amount of customs duties and Goods & Services Tax involved is estimated to be S$690,700 and S$45,100 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 2 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 other contraband. At the sea checkpoints, ICA's Anti-Smuggling Teams also perform ship rummaging to detect smuggling of illegal immigrants, contrabands and prohibited items on targeted vessels. We would like to advise the public against smuggling unlawful goods into Singapore.