The ICA recently posted on their Facebook page after they foiled an attempt to smuggle 11,285 cartons of cigarettes by storing them in giant god of wealth statues.
Here is the full story.
Huat ah!
On 13 Jan, ICA officers at Woodlands Checkpoint foiled an attempt to smuggle 11,285 cartons and 7,685 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore using a Malaysia-registered lorry.
The officers noticed anomalies in the x-ray images of the consignments (i.e. Lunar New Year-related figurines) transported by the lorry. During the course of checks, they uncovered contraband cigarettes concealed inside these figurines.
The case was referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation.
This method of concealment is a cause for concern as similar methods may be used by people with ill intent to smuggle security items into Singapore. The ICA will continue to conduct security checks on passengers, goods and vehicles so as to safeguard Singapore’s security.