8 arrested in Choa Chu Kang, Tampines raids; over 26,000 duty-unpaid cigarette packets seized, Singapore News

Some packets of the cigarettes had also been removed from the snack cartons, said Singapore Customs.

On the same day, Singapore Customs conducted a follow-up operation in Tampines where they found a Singaporean man unloading red plastic bags from a Singapore-registered car. 

An additional 4,243 packets of duty‑unpaid cigarettes were uncovered in the car and the man was arrested, with customs officers seizing both the duty-unpaid cigarettes and the vehicle.

Court proceedings against all eight men are ongoing.

The penalty for buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, possessing or dealing in duty-unpaid cigarettes is a fine of up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST evaded and/or a jail term of up to six years. Vehicles used in committing such offences are also subject to forfeiture.

Singapore Customs reiterated that they remain committed to enforcing strict compliance with customs regulations and protecting revenue.

“Members of public with information on smuggling activities or duty or GST evasion can report it to Customs at https://go.gov.sg/reportcustomsoffence,” said Singapore Customs.

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laili.abdeen@asiaone.com