The Singapore Customs shared on their Facebook page the imprisonment of a 37-year-old repeat offender who was caught with 316 cartons, 311 packets and 19 sticks of assorted brands of duty-unpaid cigarettes.
He was jailed 15 months on 29 April and fined $864,394; and because he didn’t pay the fine, he will be serving another 6 months imprisonment in default.
Here is what they said
[Think Thrice Before You Act!]
Beware! Repeat offenders face stiffer penalties. Here’s one such case:
On 29 Apr 2022, a 37-year-old Singaporean man, who is a repeat offender, was sentenced to 15 months’ jail and fined $863,394 for dealing with duty-unpaid cigarettes. He did not pay the fine and will serve another six months jail in default.
He was arrested by Customs officers on 3 Dec 2020 for the delivery of duty-unpaid cigarettes during an operation in the vicinity of Jurong West Street 81. A total of 316 cartons, 311 packets and 19 sticks of assorted brands of duty-unpaid cigarettes and the limousine taxi, used for the delivery of the duty-unpaid cigarettes, were seized.
He was previously convicted in 2006 and 2013 for possession and importation of duty-unpaid cigarettes respectively.
Singapore Customs urges taxi operators and private hire car operators to remind their drivers not to engage in illicit activities such as the delivery of duty-unpaid cigarettes. Drivers are also encouraged to alert Singapore Customs should they come across suspicious passengers who could be hiring their services for illicit activities.
