Post by : Badri Ariffin

Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers uncovered a cigarette smuggling attempt after carrying out an enhanced inspection on a Singapore-registered rental car at Woodlands Checkpoint on July 16.

During the inspection, officers discovered that the vehicle's tyres had been modified to hide duty-unpaid cigarettes. To recover the concealed items, the officers cut open the tyres, revealing multiple yellow packets hidden inside the tyre walls.

Suspicious Tyre Led Officers to Hidden Contraband

According to ICA, search and examination officers directed the vehicle for additional checks after noticing a punctured rear tyre. The inspection revealed masking tape and styrofoam placed inside the tyre rim, raising suspicion that the tyre had been altered.

A thorough search of the vehicle found more than 1,200 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes concealed inside four punctured tyres and one spare tyre.

47-Year-Old Singaporean Man Arrested

A 47-year-old Singaporean man was arrested in connection with the case.

Following the seizure, both the suspect and the recovered cigarettes were handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigation.

Authorities Warn of Strict Penalties

ICA reminded the public that buying, selling, conveying, possessing or dealing with duty-unpaid goods is a serious offence under the Customs Act and the Goods and Services Tax Act.

Offenders may face a fine of up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST evaded, imprisonment for up to six years, or both.

The authority also stated that vehicles used to commit such offences, along with proceeds from the sale of duty-unpaid goods, may be forfeited.

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