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Nov 2, 2009
15 contraband peddlers caught <!--10 min-->
OVER 1,000 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were flushed out in a joint operation between the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Singapore Police Force (SPF) last Tuesday. Officers also rounded up 15 Indonesian foreigners, aged between 25 and 38 years, in the Oct 27 operation at Yew Tee Industrial Estate. The peddlers were found with 378 packets of contraband cigarettes which were seized from them. After combing through the vicinity, another 635 packets of contraband cigarettes were found and seized. In all, 1,013 packets of contraband cigarettes worth $9,400, and with close to $8,500 total duty and GST evaded, were seized by the authorities. Further investigations revealed that 14 of the offenders were illegal immigrants. They were charged in Court last Thursday and Friday. Singapore Customs warns that buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, having in possession or dealing with duty-unpaid goods are serious offences under the Customs and GST Acts. Offenders can be fined up to 20 times the amount of duty evaded and/or jailed for up to three years. Members of the public are also strongly advised not to buy duty-unpaid products. For possessing a packet of duty-unpaid cigarettes, buyers may face a minimum fine of $500 or prosecution in court.
Nov 2, 2009
15 contraband peddlers caught <!--10 min-->
OVER 1,000 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were flushed out in a joint operation between the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Singapore Police Force (SPF) last Tuesday. Officers also rounded up 15 Indonesian foreigners, aged between 25 and 38 years, in the Oct 27 operation at Yew Tee Industrial Estate. The peddlers were found with 378 packets of contraband cigarettes which were seized from them. After combing through the vicinity, another 635 packets of contraband cigarettes were found and seized. In all, 1,013 packets of contraband cigarettes worth $9,400, and with close to $8,500 total duty and GST evaded, were seized by the authorities. Further investigations revealed that 14 of the offenders were illegal immigrants. They were charged in Court last Thursday and Friday. Singapore Customs warns that buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, having in possession or dealing with duty-unpaid goods are serious offences under the Customs and GST Acts. Offenders can be fined up to 20 times the amount of duty evaded and/or jailed for up to three years. Members of the public are also strongly advised not to buy duty-unpaid products. For possessing a packet of duty-unpaid cigarettes, buyers may face a minimum fine of $500 or prosecution in court.
