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SINGAPORE \u2013 Two men were arrested and more than 9,200 cans and bottles of contraband beer and liquor were seized in an enforcement operation by Singapore Customs on May 5.<\/p>\n
Customs officers carried out checks that day at an industrial building in Bedok North Avenue 4 and uncovered \u201csophisticated concealment methods\u201d involving non-alcoholic beverage packaging, Singapore Customs said in a statement on May 20.<\/p>\n
The checks uncovered 13 pallets containing duty-unpaid beer and liquor hidden among cartons and packaging labelled as non-alcoholic drinks, it added.<\/p>\n
A 25-year-old Malaysian man and a 38-year-old male Chinese national were arrested at the site. Three other individuals \u2013 a 30-year-old Malaysian woman, a 34-year-old Vietnamese man and a 41-year-old male Singapore permanent resident \u2013 are helping with investigations.<\/p>\n
A total of 2,460 cans and 6,468 bottles of beer, along with 320 bottles of liquor, were seized, Singapore Customs said.<\/p>\n
The total duty and goods and services tax (GST) evaded amounted to $19,791, it added.<\/p>\n
Singapore Customs said the bottles were wrapped with labels and packed in boxes for non-alcoholic beverages.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the cans were packed in cartons labelled as non-alcoholic drinks. The cartons contained both cans of beer and non-alcoholic beverages.<\/p>\n
The cans of beer were also placed in the centre of the cartons to avoid detection, Singapore Customs said.<\/p>\n
It added that before being distributed locally, the non-alcoholic beverage wrappers would be removed, and the drinks would be repacked into carton boxes for alcoholic beverages.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for Singapore Customs said: \u201cThe deliberate concealment of duty-unpaid alcohol among legitimate goods reflects the lengths smugglers will go to evade taxes and detection.<\/p>\n
\u201cSingapore Customs will continue to act firmly against such illicit activities and pursue offenders without hesitation. We urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those found guilty of buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, possessing or dealing in duty-unpaid goods may be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty and tax evaded, jailed for up to six years, or both.<\/p>\n
Anyone aware of smuggling activities, or duty or GST evasion, can report the matter to Singapore Customs at go.gov.sg\/reportcustomsoffence<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n