Contraband cigarettes seized

[Sun Wukong]

Singapore
Feb 9, 2010

Contraband cigarettes seized

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<!-- end left side bar --> <!-- story content : start --> ONE of the biggest hauls of contraband cigarettes in recent years has been uncovered at the Tuas Checkpoint during a routine inspection. The haul of 8,349 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes worth $641,000 in duties and taxes were found hidden among boxes of plastic containers on a Malaysian-registered prime mover truck by Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) officers. The truck was entering Singapore on Friday morning when a routine scan showed anomalies in the scan images. The contraband cigarettes and prime mover have been handed over to the Singapore Customs. Three Malaysian drivers are assisting with investigations. For evading custom duties on imported goods, first time offenders face fines of up to 20 times the amount of duty evaded and a jail term of up to three years.

 

[Sun Wukong]

ICA foils cigarette smuggling attempt
By Mustafa Shafawi, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 09 February 2010 1350 hrs
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SINGAPORE: Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers foiled a cigarette smuggling attempt at the Tuas Checkpoint last Friday.

8,349 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found hidden among boxes of plastic storage containers in a container truck.

The potential customs duty and GST payable for the contraband cigarettes amounted to some S$640,000.

There was drama when the Malaysian driver was directed to an inspection bay after a routine scan found anomalies in the images. He crashed the prime mover into a pillar when the vehicle was directed to an inspection bay.

The 47-year-old driver was found not qualified to handle a prime mover and referred to the Police for investigations.

A relief driver and an assistant, who were sent by the company to take over the vehicle, were asked to witness the inspection.

Both Malaysian drivers claimed that they were engaged by a "Mr Foo", also a Malaysian, to deliver the goods as the driver had met an accident.

"Mr Foo" had also arranged for a car outside the Tuas Checkpoint to lead them to the delivery venue, as they were unfamiliar with the roads in Singapore.

Each of them would be paid 200 ringgit when they return to Malaysia. They are currently assisting the Singapore Customs in their investigation.

- CNA/sc