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Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers brought out their crowbars as they pried open the modified floorboard of a Malaysia-registered lorry during an enhanced check at Tuas Checkpoint on Sept 2.<\/p>\n
In a video posted on its social media on Thursday (Sept 17), at least one ICA officer is seen prying open a section of the floorboard, while another officer lifts up the panel.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As the floorboard is removed, neatly stacked cartons of cigarettes are seen underneath.<\/p>\n
ICA said the lorry was directed to undergo enhanced checks, during which search and examination officers found over 2,200 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes concealed within the modified floorboard.<\/p>\n
A 48-year-old Malaysian man was arrested, while the seized items were handed over to the Singapore Customs for further investigation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\n @asiaone<\/a> A 48-year-old Malaysian man was arrested after ICA officers found over 2,200 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in the Malaysia-registered lorry’s modified floorboard. #sgnews<\/a> #Singapore<\/a> #Malaysia<\/a> #Border<\/a> #Smuggle<\/a> #Crime<\/a> \u266c original sound – AsiaOne<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Buying, selling, conveying, possessing and dealing with duty-unpaid goods are serious offences under the Customs Act and the Goods and Services Tax Act.\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
Vehicles used in these offences and proceeds from the sale of duty-unpaid goods may also be forfeited.<\/p>\n
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