ICA officers pry open modified floorboard in Malaysian lorry, find 2,200 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes

Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers brought out their crowbars as they pried open the modified floorboard of a Malaysia-registered lorry during an enhanced check at Tuas Checkpoint on Sept 2.

In a video posted on its social media on Thursday (Sept 17), at least one ICA officer is seen prying open a section of the floorboard, while another officer lifts up the panel. 

As the floorboard is removed, neatly stacked cartons of cigarettes are seen underneath.

ICA said the lorry was directed to undergo enhanced checks, during which search and examination officers found over 2,200 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes concealed within the modified floorboard.

A 48-year-old Malaysian man was arrested, while the seized items were handed over to the Singapore Customs for further investigation. 

@asiaone A 48-year-old Malaysian man was arrested after ICA officers found over 2,200 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in the Malaysia-registered lorry's modified floorboard. #sgnews #Singapore #Malaysia #Border #Smuggle #Crime ♬ original sound - AsiaOne

Buying, selling, conveying, possessing and 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 from the sale of duty-unpaid goods may also be forfeited.

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editor@asiaone.com