The Singapore Customs said in a statement on Facebook that they had arrested two 30-year-old Bangladeshi men on 11 May and seized 165 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes that were hidden in two lorries along Mandai Estate.
One of them was issued with a composition fine of $1,000 while the other was prosecuted in court.
Singapore Customs’ statement on Facebook
[THINK TWICE before peddling duty-unpaid cigarettes]
BE WARNED! Singapore Customs deploys mobile cameras to enforce against peddling of duty-unpaid cigarettes.
On 11 May 2023, Customs officers arrested two male Bangladeshi nationals, both aged 30, during such an operation. 165 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found hidden in two lorries parked within the Mandai Estate vicinity. One was imposed with composition sum of $1,000 while the other has been prosecuted in the State Courts.
TAKE NOTE! Buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, possessing or dealing with duty-unpaid goods are serious offences under the Customs Act and the GST Act. Offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST evaded and/or jailed for up to six years.
Contraband cigarettes
The dangers of contraband cigarettes in Singapore are many. They pose a health risk to smokers.
Contraband cigarettes are often produced without the same quality control measures as legal cigarettes, meaning they may contain harmful chemicals and toxins at higher levels.
Another danger of contraband cigarettes is the potential for organized crime and gang activity. The illegal trade of cigarettes is a lucrative business, and criminal organizations may use the profits to fund other illegal activities.
This poses a threat to public safety, as these criminal organizations may resort to violence and other forms of illegal activity to protect their interests.
Potential penalties
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 Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act.
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 committing such offences can be seized.
| Type of Offence | Composition Amount |
|---|---|
| Failure to declare or making an incorrect declaration of cigarettes | 1st offence: S$200 per packet or per 20 sticks or part thereof 2nd offence: S$500 per packet or per 20 sticks or part thereof 3rd offence: S$800 per packet or per 20 sticks of part thereof |