A total of 2,221 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes and 70 bundles containing 70kg of unmanufactured tobacco were seized from a bus at the Tuas Checkpoint on Sunday (May 29).
The potential duty and goods and services tax on the contraband cigarettes and unmanufactured tobacco amounted to about $199,810 and $19,270 respectively.
Officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) had asked the driver of the Malaysia-registered bus to stop for checks at about 5.50am.
The bus was carrying 2,221 cartons of cigarettes and 70kg of tobacco. Photo: ICA
During inspection, the officers found the contraband items hidden in various compartments of the vehicle.
The driver, a 37-year-old Malaysian man, as well as the contraband items and vehicle, have been handed to Singapore Customs for further investigations.
xiuhuil@sph.com.sg
