- Malaysians arrested in Singapore for evading over S$800k in duties and taxes.
- Two separate operations seized 7,550 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes.
- Offenders face fines up to 40 times the evaded amount and possible jail time.
A major bust by Singapore Customs reveals a complex cigarette smuggling operation involving Malaysian nationals.
Massive Cigarette Smuggling Operation Busted
On 23 October 2024, Singapore Customs announced a major crackdown on cigarette smuggling.
They caught seven people trying to avoid paying over S$800,000 in taxes.
This big bust happened on 16 Oct 2024.
Customs officers carried out two separate operations on that day.
They were looking for people smuggling duty-unpaid cigarettes.
Operation Location | Cigarettes Seized | People Arrested | Taxes Evaded |
---|---|---|---|
Marsiling Crescent Heavy Vehicle Park | 1,550 cartons | 4 Malaysian men | S$167,976 |
Tampines Road Heavy Vehicle Park | 6,000 cartons | 2 Malaysian men, 1 Malaysian woman | S$650,231 |
Details of the Smuggling Operations
In the first operation, customs officers found 1,400 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes in a bus.
They also found 150 cartons in a car at the same location.
Four Malaysian men were arrested at this site.
The second operation’s discovery was even bigger.
Officers discovered 5,400 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes in a lorry.
Another 600 cartons were found in a car nearby.
Two Malaysian men and one Malaysian woman were arrested here.
Roles of the Arrested Individuals
- A 57-year-old man was allegedly driving the Malaysian bus used for smuggling.
- Two 33-year-old men were reportedly in charge of getting and repacking the cigarettes.
- A 55-year-old man was allegedly loading the cigarettes into a car for local delivery.
- A 36-year-old woman was identified as the driver of the lorry in the second operation.
Legal Consequences for Smuggling
According to Singapore Customs, “Under the Customs Act and the GST Act, buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, possessing or dealing with duty-unpaid goods are serious offences.”
People caught smuggling can face very harsh punishments.
They might have to pay fines up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST they didn’t pay.
They could also go to jail for up to six years.
The vehicles used in these crimes can be taken away by the government.
Public Involvement in Fighting Smuggling
Singapore Customs wants help from the public to stop smuggling.
They said, “Members of the public with information on smuggling activities or evasion of duty or GST can report it to Customs.”
People can report these activities at https://go.gov.sg/reportcustomsoffence.
This case shows the ongoing battle against illegal tobacco in Singapore.
It highlights the need for strong enforcement and public cooperation.
Do you think the current penalties for cigarette smuggling in Singapore are enough to deter future offenders?