10 August 2013

Singapore Customs and the Singapore Police Force mounted two joint operations on 28 July and 4 August 2013, which resulted in the break-up of a six-man contraband cigarette distribution ring.

A total of 2,399 cartons and eight packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes valued at S$269,000 were confiscated. Custom duties and Goods and Services Tax (GST) evaded amounted to almost $230,000.

Investigations are still ongoing for five Singaporean men who were arrested, while a Bangladeshi night watchman at a shipyard has been sentenced to 15 months’ jail.

Dealing with contraband goods are serious transgressions under the Customs and GST Acts. Lawbreakers can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST evaded and/or jailed for up to six years. Vehicles used in committing these crimes may also be forfeited.

Source: Singapore Customs