A consignment of tissue paper, toilet rolls, paper serviettes and cotton buds served as a cover for almost 35,000 packets of contraband cigarettes.

Cigarettes in cargo consignment Click on thumbnail to view

Six men - five Malaysians and one Singaporean - were arrested for the smuggling attempt.

On July 28, a Malaysian-registered blue bonded truck drove into the loading/unloading bay at a flatted factory complex near Depot Close.

It was followed by a Singapore-registered white lorry.

Four men began unloading cargo from the Malaysian truck and transferring it to the lorry.

Officers from Singapore Customs (SC) and Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) had been monitoring the men's activities came forward and arrested them.

All six were charged in court on August 6. Five of them pleaded guilty while court proceedings for the remaining man are still ongoing.

The GST evasion for these cigarettes totalled more than $260,000.

Singapore Customs warns that buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, having in possession or dealing with contraband cigarettes are serious offences under the Customs and GST Acts.

Stiff penalties are imposed for such offences. Vehicles used in the commission of such offences are also liable to be forfeited.

Cigarettes without 'SDPC' marking are illegal and the public is strongly advised not to buy duty-unpaid cigarettes.

For possessing a packet of duty-unpaid cigarettes, buyers may face a minimum fine of $500 or prosecution in court.