Contraband cigs found hidden in bus
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More than 1,000 cartons of contraband cigarettes were hidden in modified compartments behind the driver's seat, and below the floor board and undercarriage of the Singapore-registered tour bus, said ICA.
PHOTO: IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
Lydia Lam
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More than 1,000 cartons of contraband cigarettes were found hidden in a Singapore-registered tour bus on Wednesday when it arrived at Tuas Checkpoint from Malaysia.
They were hidden in modified compartments behind the driver's seat, and below the floor board and undercarriage of the bus, said the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) yesterday.
The bus driver is a 57-year-old Singaporean man.
The contraband was found when ICA officers directed the bus for further checks at the checkpoint at about 1pm. The duty evaded on the 1,057 cartons and 10 packets is about $82,100 and the goods and services tax, $6,040.
Vehicles used in such crimes could be forfeited.
The ICA said its security checks at checkpoints are crucial because the methods smugglers use to hide contraband may be used by terrorists to smuggle arms and explosives into Singapore to carry out attacks.
Lydia Lam
