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A crackdown on duty-unpaid cigarettes at a migrant worker dormitory in northern Singapore led to the arrest of 17 people.<\/p>\n
The enforcement operation took place on May 11, according to a Facebook post made by Singapore Customs on Thursday (May 21).\u00a0<\/p>\n
Video footage of the operation shows Customs officers conducting inspections at the dorm, including searches of the workers’ belongings.<\/p>\n
Officers are also seen questioning workers and handcuffing those found with duty-unpaid cigarettes.<\/p>\n
In total, over 350 sticks of duty-unpaid cigarettes were seized and 17 people were arrested.<\/p>\n
Following investigations, 14 offenders were handed fines ranging from $500 to $1,400.<\/p>\n
Singapore Customs also reminded members of the public that buying, selling, storing or consuming duty-unpaid cigarettes is illegal and carries severe penalties, including hefty fines and jail terms.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty evaded, jailed for up to six years, or both.\u00a0<\/p>\n