Singapore Customs arrests a man and seizes 6,400 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes
Singapore Customs arrested a male Malaysian, aged 39, and seized 6,400 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes in an operation on 7 March 2023.
Case information
During an operation conducted in the vicinity of Toa Payoh Industrial Park, Singapore Customs officers checked a refrigerated truck and uncovered 6,400 cartons of duty unpaid cigarettes hidden within a consignment of frozen fishes in the truck. The driver of the truck was arrested.
The duty-unpaid cigarettes and the truck were seized. The total duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST) evaded amounted to about $628,480 and $56,570 respectively. Investigations are ongoing.
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. Vehicles used in the commission of such offences are also liable to be forfeited.
Members of public with information on smuggling activities or evasion of duty or GST can call the Singapore Customs hotline on 1800-2330000 or email [email protected] to report these illegal activities.
Singapore Customs
9 March 2023
