News
S’porean man, 37, allegedly hid 5 packs of duty-unpaid cigarettes in pants, tried to flee at Woodlands Checkpoint
He was about to undergo a pat-down.
April 08, 2026, 11:11 AM
A Singaporean man, who was suspected of concealing items in his pants, fled the bus hall of Woodlands Checkpoint before checks could be completed.
In a joint news release by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Singapore Police Force (SPF), the 37-year-old was intercepted by ICA officers after he attempted to evade further security checks.
A subsequent search of the man and his belongings uncovered five packs of duty-unpaid cigarettes.
He was arrested by ICA officers and subsequently referred to the police for further investigations.
He will be charged in court on Apr. 8.
Fled bus hall
On Apr. 7, at around 6:36am, the man cleared arrival immigration at the Woodlands Checkpoint bus hall.
A security screening officer suspected him of concealing items in his pants.
The man was directed for further checks.
He placed his bags down for the X-ray screening, but as he was about to undergo a physical pat-down inspection, he fled with his belongings before checks were completed.
ICA officers were immediately alerted and successfully intercepted the man within the checkpoint premises.
The duty-unpaid cigarettes were seized and handed over to Singapore Customs for follow-up investigations.
Penalities
The man will be charged for failing to comply with an authorised officer’s request for inspection under the Infrastructure Protection Act 2017.
The offence carries a fine of up to S$20,000 or a jail term not exceeding two years, or both.
ICA said it "takes a serious view of attempts to evade security checks at our checkpoints and will remain vigilant to safeguard Singapore’s borders".
SPF added that it "takes a similarly serious view of non-compliance with security procedures at protected areas".
The ICA and SPF said they would like to remind travellers that they are required to comply with officers’ instructions when at the checkpoints, and those who fail to do so will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.
Top photo from ICA/Facebook
