ICA calls bluff on lorry with goods declared as bread, uncovers 1,500 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes at Tuas Checkpoint

Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers called the bluff on the driver of a Malaysia-registered lorry during an inspection at Tuas Checkpoint on Aug 11.

Pictures posted on ICA's Facebook show bread trays stacked in the cargo box of the lorry truck.

One photograph shows what appears to be cartons of cigarettes concealed underneath loaves of bread.

The lorry, driven by a 39-year-old Malaysian man, was directed for enhanced checks.

There, search and examination officers found a total of 1,500 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes concealed within a consignment of assorted bread.

The driver was arrested and the case referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation.

Buying, selling, conveying, possessing or dealing with duty-unpaid goods are serious offences under the Customs Act and the Goods and Services Tax Act. 

Offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty evaded, jailed for up to six years, or both. 

Vehicles used in these offences and proceeds of sales of duty-unpaid goods may also be forfeited.

editor@asiaone.com