A 35-YEAR-OLD Malaysian driver was arrested on Saturday at the Tuas checkpoint for attempting to smuggle more than $200,000 worth of contraband cigarettes into Singapore.

The man initially claimed to be transporting some 36 drums of adhesive glue when Immigrations and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers stopped his vehicle for routine checks.

The innocuous-looking consignment of drums were later put though radiographic scans and officers were alerted to peculiarities in the scanning images.

A detailed physical check on the drums were then conducted.

Their efforts paid off when they found out that while the top part of each drum had been filled with water, a secret cylindrical compartment had been constructed at the lower half.

When the specially welded portion of of the drum was pried open, cartons of contraband cigarettes were found hidden inside.

A total of 2,346 cartons, each containing 200 sticks, of contraband cigarettes were detected. The estimated street value of the duty-unpaid cigarettes is worth about $234,000, with the duty and GST involved amounting to about $180,000.

The driver was detained, and the cigarettes as well as the lorry seized.

The case has been transferred to Singapore Customs for further investigations.

Custom officials warn that buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, having in possession or dealing with contraband cigarettes are serious offences under the Customs and GST Acts.

The public are advised not to buy duty-unpaid cigarettes. For possessing a packet of duty-unpaid cigarettes, buyers can be fined at least $500 or prosecuted in court.