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Largest Haul of Cigarettes Seized by ICA at the Land Checkpoints
There is no better way to start the New Year than this. ICA's continued vigilance at the checkpoints has resulted in the detection of an attempt to smuggle about 10,499 cartons of contraband cigarettes through Tuas checkpoint. This is the largest seizure of contraband cigarettes at the land checkpoints since the formation of ICA in 2003.
2 On 5 Jan 06 at about 1100 hours, ICA officers directed a Malaysia registered lorry for a routine check at the Cargo Bay. The lorry was said to be carrying 240 boxes of office chairs. The Malaysian driver was very reluctant to let our officers perform the check on his cargo and appeared very nervous. Our observant officer noticed that the driver was sweating profusely and avoided eye contact when answering questions.
3 Our ICA officer asked the driver to open one of the boxes that was stacked on top near the back of the lorry. However, the driver enthusiastically suggested that another box located in the middle of the lorry be opened instead. The ICA officer suspected that he was trying to hide something and insisted that he opened the original box. The driver was very reluctant and hesitant as he moved towards the box with the speed of a snail. He was then asked to open another box located just behind the driver's cabin. Instead of office chairs, our officer found cartons of contraband cigarettes. The 37-year-old driver was immediately placed under arrest and the cargo and vehicle seized.
4 After a thorough check, ICA officers found that 210 out of the 240 boxes contained a total of 10,499 cartons of contraband cigarettes. The total amount of customs duties and Goods & Services Tax involved is estimated to be S$740,000 and S$47,000 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.
5 ICA has tightened security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband. We would like to warn the public to think twice before they attempt to smuggle unlawful goods illegally into Singapore as our officers at the checkpoints maintain a high level of vigilance at all times and are trained to profile potential offenders.
2 On 5 Jan 06 at about 1100 hours, ICA officers directed a Malaysia registered lorry for a routine check at the Cargo Bay. The lorry was said to be carrying 240 boxes of office chairs. The Malaysian driver was very reluctant to let our officers perform the check on his cargo and appeared very nervous. Our observant officer noticed that the driver was sweating profusely and avoided eye contact when answering questions.
3 Our ICA officer asked the driver to open one of the boxes that was stacked on top near the back of the lorry. However, the driver enthusiastically suggested that another box located in the middle of the lorry be opened instead. The ICA officer suspected that he was trying to hide something and insisted that he opened the original box. The driver was very reluctant and hesitant as he moved towards the box with the speed of a snail. He was then asked to open another box located just behind the driver's cabin. Instead of office chairs, our officer found cartons of contraband cigarettes. The 37-year-old driver was immediately placed under arrest and the cargo and vehicle seized.
4 After a thorough check, ICA officers found that 210 out of the 240 boxes contained a total of 10,499 cartons of contraband cigarettes. The total amount of customs duties and Goods & Services Tax involved is estimated to be S$740,000 and S$47,000 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.
5 ICA has tightened security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband. We would like to warn the public to think twice before they attempt to smuggle unlawful goods illegally into Singapore as our officers at the checkpoints maintain a high level of vigilance at all times and are trained to profile potential offenders.