More than 2,000 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes seized at Tuas Checkpoint

A Malaysian bus driver is currently under investigation after he was caught at the Tuas Checkpoint on Sunday morning (May 29) for smuggling more than 2,000 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes and unmanufactured tobacco into Singapore.

In a news release on Tuesday, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said the 37-year-old, who was driving a Malaysia-registered bus, arrived at the checkpoint at about 5.50am and was directed by officers for checks.

A total of 2,221 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes and 70 bundles containing 70kg of unmanufactured tobacco were hidden in various parts of the bus, including the luggage and fuel tank compartments, ICA said.

The driver is now assisting the Singapore Customs for further investigations, ICA said. The contraband items and the bus that were seized, have also been handed over, it added. 

The authority also said the potential duty and Goods and Services Tax of the contraband cigarettes and unmanufactured tobacco amounted to about S$199,810 and S$19,270 respectively. The vehicle used in the commission of such offences is liable to be forfeited.