Three arrested for evading over $870,000 in cigarette duties and taxes
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Some 7,383 cartons and 7,031 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were seized.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE CUSTOMS
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SINGAPORE – Three men were arrested on Dec 10 for evading over $870,000 in cigarette duties and taxes, following a Singapore Customs operation.
Some 7,383 cartons and 7,031 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were seized, said Singapore Customs on Dec 13.
Of these, 3,900 cartons were taken from a truck that officers located in Choa Chu Kang Street 64.
The truck driver, a 43-year-old Malaysian man, was arrested.
Officers later uncovered more cartons and packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes in another truck and an industrial unit in Gambas Crescent in Sembawang, which the driver had the keys for.
There were 2,509 cartons and 7,015 packets in the second truck, and 14 cartons and 16 packets in the industrial unit.
Officers also found 960 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes in a car in Choa Chu Kang Crescent.
Two male Singapore permanent residents, aged 20 and 21, were arrested at the scene, said Singapore Customs.
Investigations revealed that the 43-year-old and 20-year-old were allegedly engaged by unknown persons to deliver the duty-unpaid cigarettes. The 21-year-old was allegedly recruited by the 20-year-old to assist in deliveries.
The Singapore Customs operation found that a total of $876,305 of duty and goods and services tax (GST) was evaded.
Court proceedings against the three individuals are ongoing.
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.
Members of the public can report smuggling activities or evasion of duty or GST activities to Singapore Customs at
