3 million packets of contraband cigarettes seized in 2014
Published on Feb 4, 2015 11:53 AM
Men selling contraband cigarettes at a street in Geylang. -- PHOTO: THE NEW PAPER
By Hoe Pei Shan
SINGAPORE - Authorities here seized three million packets of contraband cigarettes last year, a 3.4 per cent increase from the year before and twice that of 2012.
According to annual statistics released by Singapore Customs on Wednesday, three contraband cigarette syndicates were discovered and disrupted last year. More than 57,000 packets of contraband cigarettes were seized from these operators alone.
The largest single seizure of 2014 was in January when 149,990 packets were found concealed in specially constructed hollow spaces beneath wooden boards.
Several cases of contraband cigarette smuggling were via vehicles over the land checkpoints at Woodlands and Tuas. Customs seized a total of 243 vehicles involved, the largest number in five years.
