2 arrested for drug, GST-related offences after seizure of duty-unpaid cigarettes in Petir Road
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In total, 4,228 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes and two vans were seized following a Singapore Customs operation on Jan 23.
PHOTOS: SINGAPORE CUSTOMS
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SINGAPORE – A man and a woman were arrested on Jan 23 for evading more than $450,000 in cigarette duties and taxes, as well as for drug-related offences following a Singapore Customs operation.
In total, 4,228 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes and two vans were seized, Singapore Customs said on Feb 3.
During the operation, officers discovered 1,252 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes in a parked van in Petir Road.
Inside the vehicle, they also found the key to another van parked nearby, in which they discovered a further 2,976 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes.
Drug paraphernalia were also found in one of the vans and handed over to the Central Narcotics Bureau for investigation.
Two 29-year-old Singaporeans, a man and a woman, were arrested at the scene, Singapore Customs said.
The Singapore Customs found that a total of $457,968 in duty and goods and services tax (GST) had been evaded.
Following investigations, the man is said to have been involved in delivering the duty-unpaid cigarettes, and court proceedings against him are ongoing. The woman is also being investigated.
Offenders risk a fine of up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST evaded, or a jail term of up to six years, or both.
Vehicles used in committing such offences can also be seized.
Members of the public can report smuggling activities or evasion of duty or GST activities to Singapore Customs at
