12,479 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes seized by ICA, largest haul in 5 years
SINGAPORE — A total of 12,479 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in concrete blocks have been seized by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), the largest haul in the last five years.
The duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST) evaded totalled about $1,240,430 and $90,590, respectively, the ICA said in a statement on Monday (19 August).
On the morning of 27 July, ICA officers conducted checks on a Malaysia-registered lorry at the over-sized lorry lane arriving at Tuas Checkpoint. The lorry was carrying 16 concrete blocks.
After noticing anomalies in the concrete blocks, ICA officers drilled holes into them and uncovered duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden within.
The 25-year-old male Malaysian lorry driver was placed under arrest and the case was handed over to Singapore Customs for investigation.
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