- Joined
- Aug 26, 2011
- Messages
- 1,027
- Points
- 0
Amount of contraband cigarettes seized falls to record low
Posted: 27 January 2012 1239 hrs
SINGAPORE: The amount of contraband cigarettes seized in Singapore last year hit a new low of 1.9 million packets, marking a decline for the third consecutive year.
The Singapore Customs said the 17.4 per cent fall in illegal cigarettes seized in 2011 (down from 2.3 million packets in 2010) is a result of strong enforcement efforts by the authorities.
Conversely, the amount of duty collected from legal cigarettes has gone up by 4.6 per cent last year to S$917 million, compared to S$877 million in 2010.
Singapore Customs said the supply of legal cigarettes has gone up by 31.6 per cent since 2007.
It said stepped up enforcement efforts have led to more smokers buying duty-paid cigarettes.
However, street demand for contraband cigarettes persisted in 2011.
The number of smokers caught buying illegal cigarettes rose 1.6 per cent last year to 5,977.
Singapore Customs said it noticed the presence of new illegal brands such as "Moon Mountain", which were sold at lower prices in the black market.
It warned the public that all "Moon Mountain" cigarettes are illegal in Singapore.
The number of illegal cigarette peddlers who were caught in 2011 fell 34.8 per cent to 458.
Singapore Customs said peddlers have become more creative and discreet in hiding their contraband goods.
They have tried to outwit Customs officers by hiding their goods in rubbish bins, drains and even toilet bowls.
- CNA/cc
