SINGAPORE - Local authorities have arrested eight Indonesian men for allegedly peddling duty-unpaid cigarettes and committing immigration offences.
The suspects were apprehended at Yew Tee Industrial Estate during a joint operation between the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore Police Force and Singapore Custom on Dec 21.
About 119 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes with potential duty of $10,460 were seized during the operation. The potential Goods and Services Tax (GST) amounted to $1,005.
Investigations are ongoing.
Under the Immigration Act, anyone found guilty of overstaying or illegal entry can face a jail term of up to six months plus a minimum of three strokes of the cane, while the offence of illegal departure carries a fine of up to $2,000, a jail term of up to six months, or both.
ljessica@sph.com.sg