ICA officers hammer 'furniture' from M'sia-registered van, find over 150 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes

Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers turned into lumberjacks during an enhanced check at Woodlands Checkpoint on Jan. 22.

In a video posted on its Facebook page, ICA officers were seen using hammers to break up "furniture pieces" that were being transported in the back of a Malaysia-registered van.

ICA said they profiled and directed the vehicle for enhanced checks, during which the furniture pieces were found to be concealing duty-unpaid cigarettes.

They found a total of more than 150 cartons and 60 loose packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes.

A 32-year-old male Malaysian driver was arrested in connection with the case.

The exhibits and suspect were referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation.

Profiling

ICA previously said that such profiling is conducted by officers using their skills and expertise, complemented by technology such as radiographic and X-ray scanners, as well as handheld detection devices.

The Integrated Targeting Centre (ITC), which operates 24/7, also leverages data analytics to conduct pre-arrival risk assessment of travellers, conveyances and cargo.

Those assessed to be of higher risk are flagged for checks upon arrival at checkpoints, before they enter Singapore.

Top photos from ICA/Facebook