Immigration and Checkpoints Authority officers uncovered more than 2,200 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden beneath a modified floorboard of a Malaysia-registered lorry at Tuas Checkpoint.
The discovery was made on Sept 2 when the lorry was selected for enhanced checks after arriving at the checkpoint.
During the inspection, ICA search and examination officers found a section of the vehicle’s floorboard had been modified to create a concealed compartment.
Officers pried open the floorboard and discovered cartons of cigarettes neatly stacked underneath.
A 48-year-old Malaysian man who was driving the lorry was arrested in connection with the case.
The seized cigarettes and the driver were subsequently handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigation.
The authorities did not disclose the estimated amount of duty and GST evaded in the case.
Under Singapore law, buying, selling, conveying, possessing or dealing with duty-unpaid goods are serious offences under the Customs Act and the Goods and Services Tax Act.
Those convicted can face a fine of up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST evaded, imprisonment of up to six years, or both.
Vehicles used in such offences, as well as proceeds from the sale of duty-unpaid goods, may also be forfeited.
The latest seizure comes amid continued enforcement efforts at Singapore’s land checkpoints, where officers have uncovered multiple attempts to bring duty-unpaid cigarettes and other contraband into the country.
Authorities have stepped up checks on Malaysia-registered vehicles entering Singapore, using scanning technology and physical inspections to identify concealed goods.
The case remains under investigation by Singapore Customs.
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