Five men have been arrested after Singapore customs conducted two operations, seizing 4,480 cartons and 35,838 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes.

This amounted to about S$873,889 in duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST) evasion.

Glass blocks

During the first operation on Jul. 31, five men comprising two Singaporeans and and three Indian nationals were arrested.

The first Singaporean, a 38 year-old man, was arrested with the three Indian nationals, aged 39, 29, and 26, outside an industrial unit at Woodlands Avenue 12.

The second Singaporean, a 49 year-old man, was later arrested near his residence.

During the operation on Jul. 31, customs officers found 2,240 cartons and 17,918 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden among glass blocks.

The officers also seized a truck that was allegedly being used for transportation.

Repacking

An investigation by Singapore Customs found that the older Singaporean had allegedly engaged the younger Singaporean to transport the duty-unpaid cigarettes, hidden within the glass blocks, to the industrial unit.

He also allegedly engaged the 39 year-old Indian national to enlist his two other countrymen to repack the duty-unpaid cigarettes into carton boxes.

Singapore Customs then conducted a follow-up operation on Aug. 5 at a warehouse in Jurong Port Road, where a further 2,240 cartons and 17,920 packets of cigarettes were found.

The cigarettes were also duty-unpaid, and also hidden among glass blocks.

Court proceedings

Court proceedings are ongoing against four of the five men, with investigations continuing for the 29-year-old man.

A media release from Singapore Customs reminds the public that buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, possessing, or dealing with duty-unpaid goods are serious offences under the Customs Act and GST Act.

Offenders can face fines of up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST evaded, as well facing six years of jail, and forfeiting any vehicles used in the commission of such offences.

Members of the public who have information on such smuggling activities, or the evasion of duty or GST can report at this link.

Top image via Singapore Customs