More than 3,000 cartons of contraband cigarettes seized at Jurong Port

SINGAPORE - A staggering 3,100 cartons of contraband cigarettes were seized from a lorry at Jurong Port Main Gate on Wednesday afternoon (Jan 22).

The lorry, driven by a 57-year-old Singaporean man, was stopped by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers for checks. They found out in scanning that it was carrying cigarettes although it was declared that it was carrying plastic ware only.

The potential duty and Goods and Services Tax evaded amounted to about $284,800 and $25,890 respectively.

The driver, plastic ware consignment, contraband cigarettes and lorry were handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigation.

The ICA said it will continue to conduct security checks on passengers and vehicles at checkpoints.

It said the same methods of concealment used by contraband smugglers may be used by terrorists to smuggle arms and explosives to carry out attacks in Singapore.

chenj@sph.com.sg