The Singapore Customs released a statement detailing the arrest of a 37-year-old male Chinese national, where more than 1,200 cartons and 2,200 packets of duty unpaid cigarettes were seized in an operation in Jurong West Street 93.
Here is Singapore Customs’ statement
Singapore Customs arrested a 37-year-old male Chinese national and seized more than 1,200 cartons and 2,200 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes in an operation on 18 February 2022.
Case information
During the operation conducted in the vicinity of Jurong West Street 93, Singapore Customs officers checked on a Singapore-registered van and found 1,221 cartons and 2,200 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes wrapped with black trash bags in the vehicle’s cargo compartment.
The driver of the van was arrested and the duty-unpaid cigarettes and the van were seized. The total duty and Goods and Services tax (GST) evaded amounted to about $123,070 and $9,790 respectively.
Court proceedings 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 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.
