SINGAPORE - More than 1,700 cartons of cigarettes were found among vegetables in a container passing through the Woodlands Checkpoint on Wednesday (Aug 17), said the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).

At about 6.10am on Wednesday, ICA officers inspected a Malaysia truck with a 40-footer container.

It was declared to be carrying 1,600 cartons of vegetables. However, ICA officers found 1,750 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden within the boxes of vegetables.

The 42-year-old male Malaysian driver, the contraband cigarettes and vehicle were handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigations. The vehicle may be forfeited.

The potential duty on the cigarettes is about $135,800 and the Goods and Services Tax about $13,670.

"Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore's security. The ICA will continue to conduct security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband," it said in its statement.