More than 3,000 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes uncovered in 2 vehicles at Tuas Checkpoint
SINGAPORE — The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has uncovered more than 3,000 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes at Tuas Checkpoint within a span of three days from 12 to 14 October (Saturday to Monday).
In a media release on Wednesday, ICA said that the cigarettes were hidden in a prime mover and a bus, both Malaysian-registered vehicles arriving into Singapore. In both cases, officers had noticed anomalies in the X-ray scans of the two vehicles and directed them for further checks.
In the first case, at about 9.50am on Saturday, 925 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found concealed in the modified compartment underneath the floorboard of the Malaysia-registered bus.
The bus was driven by a 28-year-old male Malaysian, and was ferrying several passengers into Singapore.
In the second case, at about 1.40am on 14 October, 2,278 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found hidden in the modified roof compartment of an empty container.
The prime mover was driven by a 29-year-old Malaysian man.
Both drivers were immediately arrested and the respective cases were handed over to the Singapore Customs for further investigation. For both cases, the total duty tax amounted to $291,470, while the total Goods and Services Tax amounted to $21,400.
Both drivers have been charged in court.
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