SINGAPORE - Thousands of cartons of smuggled cigarettes were found in three vehicles at the Woodlands Checkpoint on Tuesday (July 19) morning, said the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).

The potential customs duty for the 3,190 cartons and 1,512 packets of cigarettes seized was more than $259,000; the GST potentially incurred was $26,100.

More than 2,500 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found hidden in a consignment of large wooden doors.

The cigarettes were concealed in 38 wooden doors delivered by a Malaysia-registered lorry at around 4.15am.

The 32-year-old driver and his 23-year-old companion, both Malaysian, were arrested.

The two suspects, cargo and lorry have been handed to the Singapore Customs for investigation.

Two other smuggling attempts were foiled in the next two hours.

A Malaysian-registered car crossing at about 5.30am was found to have 439 cartons and 812 packets of cigarettes concealed in the car and in the driver's sling bag, ICA said.

Controlled drugs were also found hidden under the floor mat of the car.

The Malaysian driver, 22, and the drugs were referred to the Central Narcotics Bureau for further investigations, while the car and the duty-unpaid cigarettes were handed over to the Singapore Customs.

ICA officers found another 243 cartons and 700 packets of cigarettes in another car crossing from Malaysia at 6.25am.

The lone driver, a 22-year-old Malaysian male, was nabbed.

All the three vehicles could be forfeited, ICA said.