OFFICERS from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority and Singapore Customs found thousands of cartons of contraband cigarettes hidden in a container.

A total of 6,200 cartons of cigarettes, with an estimated street value of $527,250, were stashed inside a 40-footer container said to contain 'photocopying apparatus'.

Both agencies conducted checks at Jurong Ports last Friday, targetting containers that may contain illicit items.

The 40-footer container caught the officers' attention.

They then trailed the prime mover carrying the container's load to an industrial site in Kallang where Singapore Customs found the massive stash.

The estimated duty and GST amounted to $419,600 and $56,400 respectively.

According to a joint statement from both agencies, this is one of the largest haul of contraband cigarettes so far this year.

To enhance efficiency and effectiveness in screening cargo vehicles, ICA has deployed the new Integrated Cargo Inspection System, a non-intrusive scanner, at its border checkpoints.

It has also tightened security checks on passengers and vehicles at checkpoints to prevent attempts of smuggling undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband items into Singapore.