Syndicates attempting to smuggle contraband goods across the Malaysia-Singapore border are looking to a new means - tour buses.

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said in a news release Friday that two such vehicles were caught with contraband cigarettes at the Tuas checkpoint, just over the span of two days.

"Tuas Checkpoint handles countless busloads of holiday making. Syndicates are making use of the holidaying mood as a smokescreen in a bid to fool our officers," said the ICA.

Before and after...

On Wednesday afternoon, a Malaysian registered bus was caught with smuggled cigarettes in a secret compartment at the end of the air-con duct.

A total of 749 cartons and 6 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were retrieved, amounting to a potential customs duty and GST of about $52,800 and $4,800 respectively.

When questioned, the driver Malaysian Indian claimed that he was ferrying the bus load of China tourists to Singapore where they would be transferred to another local bus before he would then drive the bus back to Malaysia.

Officers after establishing that the tourists were not in anyway involved in this smuggling attempt, made subsequent facilitative arrangements for them to board a local bus to continue their journey, said ICA.

Total amount of cigarettes uncovered.

Just yesterday, a Singapore-registered bus was caught with a total of 2,047 cartons of duty unpaid cigarettes, having a potential Customs duty and GST payable amounting to about $144,100 and $12,900 respectively.

Close inspections by officers revealed a small horizontal gap at the undercarriage which revealed signs of cigarettes packaging. After arduously prying open the rear portion of the floorboard, officer gained access into the secret compartment.

Both cases were referred to Singapore Customs for further investigations. Upon conviction by the court, first time offenders can be fined up to 20 times the amount of duty evaded and liable to a jail term not exceeding three years.

Buses used in conveying the contraband will also be liable for forfeiture.