Updated: 09/06/2014 20:59 | By Channel NewsAsia
Contraband cigarettes worth S$1.5m hidden among potato chips
SINGAPORE: About S$1.5 million worth of contraband cigarettes were seized at the Woodlands Checkpoint on Friday (Sep 5) afternoon. More than 14,500 cartons of cigarettes were found on a Malaysian-registered lorry, hidden among 24 pallets of potato chips.
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said this was one of the largest hauls of contraband cigarettes at the Woodlands Checkpoint since 2003. The total tax evaded amounted to more than S$1.1 million.
The cigarettes were discovered in a routine check when the lorry arrived at the checkpoint. ICA said the 36-year-old Malaysian driver, the lorry and the contraband cigarettes were handed over to the Singapore Customs for further investigations. The lorry was subsequently seized as vehicles used in the commission of such offences are liable to be forfeited.
- CNA/al
