This is the highest sentence so far, given the quantity of the cigarettes involved, said a statement from the Singapore Customs on Monday.

Tan Wah Hee, charged in court for offences under the Customs and GST Acts, was jailed on April 28 - eight months for an offence under the Customs Act and two months for a GST offence. The sentences are to run concurrently.

Singapore Customs officers, keeping watch in the vicinity of Geylang for illegal cigarette peddling activities on Jan 10, saw a Chinese man approaching Tang outside 260 Geylang Road at about at about 5pm.

The man picked up a packet of cigarettes from the chair beside Tang and handed over some money to the latter. The officers then approached Tang. On seeing the officers, Tang asked one of them if he had wanted to buy cigarettes. There were six packets of cigarettes on the chair. Tang was arrested, and the cigarettes seized.

He had earlier been convicted for similar offences in August last year. He was arrested for peddling illegal cigarettes and was jailed for six months.

In view of his earlier offences, Tang was liable for enhanced punishment for the offences committed on Jan 10.

Under the Customs Act, for second or subsequent convictions, offenders can be jailed for up to two years, and fined.

'Singapore Customs takes a serious view of the sale and distribution of contraband cigarettes and will continue to monitor the situation closely,' said the statement.

Storing, keeping or having in possession, conveying or dealing with any duty-unpaid cigarettes are offences under the Customs Act, which carries stiff penalties.

If convicted, first time offenders can be fined up to a maximum of 20 times the amount of tax evaded. For second or subsequent convictions, offenders face enhanced punishment of imprisonment of up to two years, and a fine.

Members of the public with information on peddling of contraband cigarette should contact the Singapore Customs Hotline at 1800-2330000 or email to customs_intelligence@customs.gov.sg/.