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Amount of contraband cigarettes, chewing tobacco seized by Singapore's ICA

Xinhua, October 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has seized a total of 3,331 cartons and six packets of contraband cigarettes as well as 226.6 kg of chewing tobacco over two days at the Tuas checkpoint, said ICA in a press release on Tuesday.

Officers discovered these items in modified compartments of two Malaysian-registered buses during routine checks, said ICA.

A bus driven by a 30-year-old male Malaysian was directed for further checks at Tuas checkpoint on Oct. 24. Officers found contraband cigarettes in a modified compartment underneath the vehicle, underneath the rear passenger seats, in modified air-conditioner ducts, and at the modified baggage compartment. A total of 2,750 cartons were uncovered.

Another bus driven by a 38-year-old male Malaysian was directed for checks the next day. Officers found contraband cigarettes and chewing tobacco hidden inside the air-conditioning ducts and speakers. A total of 581 cartons and 6 packets of contraband cigarettes, and 25,178 sachets or 226.6 kg of chewing tobacco were found in the bus.

ICA said the total duty as well as Goods and Services Tax evaded exceeded 326,280 Singapore dollars (234,432 U.S. dollars) and 29,410 Singapore dollars (21,131 U.S. dollars) respectively. The drivers, contraband items and vehicles for both cases were handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigations.

The vehicles used in the commission of such offences are liable to be forfeited. The 30-year-old male Malaysian involved in the first case has been sentenced to jail for 30 months on Oct. 26, while investigations are ongoing for the second case. Enditem