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More Bad News for Contraband Smugglers - ICA Bus-Ted Cigarette Smuggling Attempt
Another contraband smuggler was put out of business when he was caught trying to smuggle about 1,595 cartons of contraband cigarettes through Woodlands checkpoint on 10 Feb 2006. The smuggler had tried to hide the contraband cigarettes in various parts of a bus to avoid detection but all his efforts were in vain, given ICA's stringent checks. This was the second cigarette smuggling case that ICA had busted in two consecutive days. ICA had thwarted an attempt to smuggle about 1,352 cartons of contraband cigarettes through Tuas checkpoint on 9 Feb 2006.
2 On 10 Feb 2006 at about 0630 hours, a Malaysia-registered Bas Kilang coming into Singapore was stopped at Woodlands checkpoint for a routine check by ICA officers. Our eagle-eyed officers discovered that some of the floorboards were loose. The driver, a 24-year-old Malaysian man became nervous as our officers conducted a thorough check on the bus. During the check, our officers removed a few pieces of the floorboards to reveal many boxes stacked underneath the floorboard. ICA officers opened the boxes to find cartons of contraband cigarettes packed inside. The driver was immediately placed under arrest and the bus seized. A total of about 1,595 cartons x 200 sticks of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found hidden on the bus.
3 The total amount of customs duties and Goods & Services Tax involved is estimated to be S$112,300 and S$7,200 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. In 2005, about 1,600 immigration offenders were arrested at the checkpoints either trying to enter or leave Singapore illegally. ICA also detected about 17,000 cases of contraband-smuggling cases in 2005. We would like to advise the public against smuggling unlawful goods and persons into and out of Singapore.
2 On 10 Feb 2006 at about 0630 hours, a Malaysia-registered Bas Kilang coming into Singapore was stopped at Woodlands checkpoint for a routine check by ICA officers. Our eagle-eyed officers discovered that some of the floorboards were loose. The driver, a 24-year-old Malaysian man became nervous as our officers conducted a thorough check on the bus. During the check, our officers removed a few pieces of the floorboards to reveal many boxes stacked underneath the floorboard. ICA officers opened the boxes to find cartons of contraband cigarettes packed inside. The driver was immediately placed under arrest and the bus seized. A total of about 1,595 cartons x 200 sticks of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found hidden on the bus.
3 The total amount of customs duties and Goods & Services Tax involved is estimated to be S$112,300 and S$7,200 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. In 2005, about 1,600 immigration offenders were arrested at the checkpoints either trying to enter or leave Singapore illegally. ICA also detected about 17,000 cases of contraband-smuggling cases in 2005. We would like to advise the public against smuggling unlawful goods and persons into and out of Singapore.