A 62-year-old Singaporean man and a 48-year-old woman were arrested after allegedly selling duty-unpaid cigarettes from a food stall along Guillemard Road.
According to a statement shared by Singapore Customs, the arrests were made during an enforcement operation conducted on Apr. 29 targeting the illegal tobacco trade.
Authorities said the contraband cigarettes were allegedly hidden inside the lower storage compartments of the food stall before being sold to customers.
The case forms part of Singapore Customs’ ongoing crackdown against the sale and distribution of duty-unpaid tobacco products, which remain a persistent issue across various neighbourhoods in Singapore.
Separate Operation Conducted At Circuit Road Void Deck
In another operation conducted earlier on Apr. 23, Singapore Customs officers also arrested two Singaporean men aged 68 and 70 for allegedly peddling duty-unpaid cigarettes at a void deck in Circuit Road.
Following the operations, officers seized more than 97 cartons and 498 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes. Authorities also confiscated S$875 in cash believed to be proceeds linked to the illegal sales activities.
Singapore Customs estimated that the total excise duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST) evaded amounted to around S$19,000.
Photographs released by authorities showed stacks of cigarette cartons and packets arranged on tables following the seizure operation.
The illegal tobacco trade continues to attract strict enforcement in Singapore due to concerns over tax evasion, organised smuggling activities and public health policies tied to tobacco regulation.
Severe Penalties For Illegal Tobacco Activities In Singapore
Singapore Customs reminded the public that buying, selling, possessing or distributing duty-unpaid cigarettes is a serious offence under Singapore law.
Individuals convicted of dealing with contraband cigarettes may face substantial fines and possible imprisonment. Repeat offenders can face even harsher penalties.
Singapore maintains some of the strictest tobacco control measures in the region, with authorities regularly conducting islandwide operations targeting smuggling syndicates and illegal cigarette peddlers operating in hawker centres, coffee shops, residential estates and industrial areas.
Authorities also encouraged members of the public to report suspicious tobacco-related activities through official reporting channels.
The incident has once again highlighted the continued demand for cheaper illicit cigarettes despite Singapore’s tough enforcement measures and high tobacco taxes. Investigations into both cases are currently ongoing.