Rolling into Woodlands checkpoint from Johor Bahru in a flashy sports car on Friday, engine on a low growl, the 25-year-old cigarette smuggler thought he would not be flagged down for inspection.

Unfortunately for him, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers spotted a small hole through the boot of his white Nissan Fairlady, where they saw something red and white.

Popping the trunk, officers uncovered a hundred cartons of duty and goods and services tax (GST) unpaid cigarettes stashed in the Malaysian-registered car's rear speaker compartment. The total potential Customs duty and GST payable was estimated to be about $7,700.

The Malaysian man and his seized car were handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigations.

For flouting the GST and Customs Acts, offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty evaded and jailed for up to six years. The vehicle used can also be seized by the authorities.