More than 500 cartons and 700 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes seized, 3 men arrested in Yishun
Three men were arrested and more than 500 cartons and 700 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were seized by the Singapore Customs in an operation on Tuesday.
The three Malaysians, aged 28 to 33, were nabbed after Customs officers found 512 cartons and 759 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes in two pick-ups in a unit of an industrial building in Yishun Industrial Street 1, said Singapore Customs on Thursday.
There were modified compartments under the cargo beds of the vehicles to conceal the contraband.
In follow-up operations, Customs officers seized two more pick-ups, parked at separate locations, which they suspect were also used to smuggle duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore.
Investigations revealed that the trio were allegedly engaged by unidentified persons in Malaysia to dismantle the pick-ups and retrieve the duty-unpaid cigarettes in the warehouse unit.
The total evaded duty amounted to about $50,200, and evaded goods and services tax (GST) to $3,990.
Investigations are ongoing.
Offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST evaded, jailed for up to six years, or both. Vehicles used in the commission of such offences are also liable to be forfeited.
Those with information on smuggling activities or evasion of duty or GST can call the Singapore Customs hotline on 1800-233-0000 or e-mail customs_intelligence@customs.gov.sg.
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