The Singapore Customs recently uploaded a post on their social media platforms about the recent arrest of a 30 year old Chinese national for having contraband cigarettes in his possession and allegedly throwing them outside of his HDB room’s window when customs officers came to his unit for a check.
The incident happened on 9 February 2022 at his residence at Woodlands Avenue 4.
Customs officers then went to search the area and subsequently found a carton and ten packets of duty unpaid cigarettes on top of the sheltered walkway at the man’s block and also at the ground floor.
The man was then brought to court to be charged on 11 February 2022.
Here is the post by the Singapore Customs
“[Man arrested for possession of duty-unpaid cigarettes and for attempting to prevent the lawful seizure of the cigarettes]
On 9 Feb 2022, Singapore Customs arrested a 30-year-old Chinese national for possession of duty-unpaid cigarettes and for attempting to prevent the lawful seizure of the cigarettes. When Singapore Customs officers approached the man’s residence at Woodlands Ave 4, he allegedly threw the duty-unpaid cigarettes out of his room’s window. Officers subsequently recovered one carton and 10 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes from the walkway shelter and ground floor of the block. The man was charged in court on 11 Feb 2022.”
Possible penalties
Offenders who are caught importing duty-unpaid cigarettes or manufactures them are liable for a fine of up to $5,000.
These cigarettes refers to ‘contraband’ and are seen without the ‘SDPC’ or vertical bar markings on them.
For offenders caught in possession of such contraband cigarettes or caught smoking them, the fine for possession of one pack is $500 for a first time offender.
Those caught with possession of more than one pack of contraband cigarettes will be fined more than $500 depending on the number of packs the offender is caught with or if he or she has previously offended before.
Image source: Singapore Customs/Facebook