2 arrested for evading over $330,000 in duties and taxes on duty-unpaid cigarettes
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A 44-year-old Singaporean man and a 21-year old Malaysian man were arrested.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE CUSTOMS
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SINGAPORE - Two men have been arrested for evading more than $330,000 in duties and taxes on duty-unpaid cigarettes. Singapore Customs said on Sept 25 that a 44-year-old Singaporean man and a 21-year-old Malaysian man were arrested in an operation conducted at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park on Sept 18.
During the operation, customs officers checked two vans at a carpark in Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, uncovering 2,958 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes in one van, while the other van beside it contained another 150 cartons.
“Investigations revealed that both men were allegedly engaged by an unknown person to collect and deliver the duty-unpaid cigarettes,” said Singapore Customs, adding that the total duty and goods and services tax (GST) evaded amounted to about $336,820. The cigarettes and both vans were seized. Court proceedings are ongoing.
Duty-unpaid cigarettes were found in the two vans on Sept 18.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE CUSTOMS
Buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, possessing or dealing with duty-unpaid goods are serious offences under the Customs Act and GST Act, said Singapore Customs.
Offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST evaded, jailed for up to six years, or both. Vehicles used in committing such offences can also be seized.
The cigarettes and both vans were seized. Court proceedings are ongoing.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE CUSTOMS
Those with information on smuggling activities or evasion of duty or GST can report it to Singapore Customs at
