M'sian man, 23, arrested for attempting to smuggle over 1,380 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes in tyre rims via Woodlands Checkpoint

A 23-year-old Malaysian man was arrested after his attempt to smuggle duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore was foiled.

According to a Facebook post by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA), the man drove the Malaysia-registered pickup truck through Woodlands Checkpoint on Oct. 11.

ICA's Search and Examination officers directed the truck for enhanced checks and found over 1,380 packets of cigarettes concealed within the tyre rims.

The exhibits and suspect were referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation, the post stated.

Officers sliced open tyres

In the video, ICA officers sliced open the tyres and uncovered rows of tightly packed cigarette boxes wrapped in plastic.

The officers ripped open the other tyres and removed stacks of cigarettes.

The pile of cigarettes covered one table and about a third of another table.

Penalties

Under the Customs Act and the Goods and Services Tax Act, the buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, possessing or dealing with duty-unpaid goods are serious offences.

Offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST evaded and/or jailed for up to six years.

The vehicles used in the offence and proceeds from the sale of the duty-unpaid goods may also be forfeited.

ICA said: "As guardians of our borders, ICA is committed to facilitating trade and travel while keeping Singapore's borders safe and secure."