A Chinese Malaysian man, 25,  was placed under immediate arrest at the Woodlands Checkpoint for attempting to smuggle in a total of 1,054 packets of cigarettes.

The total value of the contrabands is estimated to amount up to $10,500, with the potential Customs duty and GST payable to about $7,420 and $660 respectively.

Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers attempted to perform a routine check on the car, when they were aroused by the man's suspicious demeanour.

He requested the officers to refrain from inspecting the rear of the car, to avoid disturbing his one-year-old daughter who was sleeping at the rear passenger seat.

In spite of this, officers conducted a detailed search, yielding the stashed contraband.

The man claimed he agreed to the illicit deal because he owed loan sharks $21,380 and his wife was unemployed.

The car was handed over to him, pre-loaded with the contraband. He was to receive $200 upon successful delivery.