Singapore Customs seized more than 1,540 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes and arrested three male Chinese nationals in two enforcement operations on Nov 4 at Joo Koon Circle and Bendeemer Road.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The total duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST) evaded amounted to about $167,125, Singapore Customs said on Wednesday (Nov 12).\u00a0<\/p>\n
During the first operation at Joo Koon Circle, officers observed a man transferring a black rubbish bag from an industrial unit to a van.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Checks uncovered 768 cartons and 12 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes inside the unit and vehicle.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The cigarettes and van were seized and two men, aged 38 and 44, were arrested.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In a follow-up operation at Bendemeer Road, officers stopped a 41-year-old man alighting from a truck, and a search of the vehicle revealed more than 768 cartons and 10 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Checks at his residence at Moulmein Rise uncovered another four cartons and five packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes. The truck and all cigarettes were seized.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Preliminary investigations indicate that the 38-year-old suspect was allegedly engaged to repack the duty-unpaid cigarettes supplied by the 41-year-old man.<\/p>\n
The 44-year-old was allegedly responsible for delivering the contraband to customers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Court proceedings are ongoing for the 38-year-old and 44-year-old men, while investigations are ongoing for the 41-year-old suspect.<\/p>\n
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Under the Customs Act and the GST Act, buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, possessing or dealing with duty-unpaid goods are serious offences.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST evaded and\/or jailed for up to six years. Vehicles used in committing such offences are also subject to forfeiture.<\/p>\n
Members of the public with information on smuggling activities or duty or GST evasion can report it to Customs at https:\/\/go.gov.sg\/reportcustomsoffence.<\/a><\/p>\n On Nov 1, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority foiled an attempt to smuggle duty-unpaid cigarettes<\/a> via a Malaysia-registered car at Woodlands Checkpoint.\u00a0<\/p>\n [[nid:724835]]<\/p>\n