14 men arrested over duty-unpaid cigarettes in raid at Jurong East dorm and industrial building

Fourteen men were arrested for offences involving contraband cigarettes after authorities raided an industrial building and a foreign worker dormitory in Jurong East on Jan 28.

Singapore Customs said in a Facebook post on Wednesday (Feb 4) that the targeted enforcement operation conducted along Toh Guan Road East was to combat the sale and demand of duty-unpaid cigarettes.

Customs officers seized over 170 packets of cigarettes with duties unpaid.

Following investigations, 12 people were issued compounded fines, with the amount ranging from $500 to $800.

The two other men were charged in the State Courts for their offences on Jan 30.

In response to AsiaOne's queries, a Singapore Customs spokesperson said on Feb 9 that 12 men at the dormitory and two men at the industrial building were arrested for possessing or dealing in duty-unpaid cigarettes.

The offenders are foreigners from Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar.

"Singapore Customs remains committed to enforcing strict compliance with customs regulations and protecting revenue," the spokesperson stated.

It is illegal to buy, sell, store, or smoke duty-unpaid cigarettes under the Customs and GST Acts. For every packet of duty-unpaid cigarettes, an offender can be fined $500.

The public can report illegal activities to Singapore Customs online.

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lim.kewei@asiaone.com