A posting that was posted by the Singapore Customs recently. It was stated that many foreigners were arrested for peddling duty unpaid cigarettes. They were nationalities from China, Vietnam and also Mlayasia.
Here is the full story.
Between 19 Oct and 1 Nov 2020, Singapore Customs arrested 10 persons in separate island-wide enforcement operations in Geylang, Jurong West, Woodlands and Yishun areas against peddlers of duty-unpaid cigarettes. Eight men – two Singaporeans, three Malaysians and three Chinese nationals, and two women – a Singaporean and a Vietnamese, aged between 24 and 72 years old, were arrested. A total of 203 cartons and 46 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were seized in the operations.
In one operation, four men – three Malaysians and one Chinese national, were arrested for peddling and possession of duty-unpaid cigarettes and obstruction of duty by attempting to dispose the duty-unpaid cigarettes.
In another operation, a 24-year-old Singaporean woman was arrested for peddling duty-unpaid cigarettes on social media. She was also investigated for providing false information to Customs officers.
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. Offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST evaded and/or jailed for up to six years.
Members of public with information on smuggling activities or evasion of Customs duty or GST can call the Singapore Customs hotline on 1800-2330000, email [email protected] to report these illegal activities.