pictures credit: Singapore Customs
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the heartland, Singapore Customs officers have their eyes peeled for smokers.
When the officers spot someone smoking a duty-unpaid cigarette, they will approach him and request to inspect his cigarette. If the cigarette is indeed duty-unpaid, the smoker will be brought to the makeshift command post nearby for his case to be processed.
This was part of a Singapore Customs operation targeted at smokers of duty-unpaid cigarettes, which was held in Ang Mo Kio on 18 July 2017.
In a couple of hours, 35 offenders were caught. They were issued composition sums of between $500 and $800. A total of 329 cigarettes were seized in the operation.
Singapore Customs adopts a three-pronged strategy – curbing supply, suppressing demand, and engaging stakeholders – to tackle duty-unpaid cigarette activities in Singapore.
The composition sum for a first-time offender who has up to one packet of duty-unpaid cigarettes in his possession is $500. Heavier penalties will apply if he is found with more than one packet of duty-unpaid cigarettes and/or if he is a repeat offender.
Source:Â Singapore Customs