May 19, 2011
Over 40,000 packets of illegal cigarettes seized
OVER 40,000 packets of illegal cigarettes, with total duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST) exceeding $300,000 were seized by Singapore Customs on May 5, it revealed on Thursday.
Two locally-registered vehicles were also seized and one 55 year-old Singaporean man was arrested. A total of 42,570 packets of illegal cigarettes concealed in brown packages, were found inside both vehicles.
Investigations have revealed that the accused had been engaged by an unknown Malaysian supplier to load cigarettes onto both vehicles and to deliver them to various locations for a promised sum of money. The case against the accused is still ongoing.
Singapore Customs warns that the buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, having in possession or dealing with duty-unpaid goods are serious offences under the Customs Act and the GST Act and will be severely dealt with.
Singapore Customs also appeals to the public to stay vigilant at all times against smuggling activities or evasion of custom duty or GST. The public should contact the Singapore Customs Hotline at 1800-2330000 or email to [email protected] in the event of having such information.
