SINGAPORE : Immigration officers discovered S$495,000 worth of cigarettes hidden in boxes of potato chips on Wednesday morning.

They were part of a consignment of 534 boxes of potato chips, but checkpoint officers noticed that certain boxes were heavier than others.

Further checks on the heavier boxes revealed cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes.

In all, 5,500 cartons of contraband cigarettes were found.

Police immediately arrested the 25-year-old Malaysian truck driver, who denied knowledge of the cigarettes. He claimed to have been paid RM80 to deliver the consignment to Singapore.

Custom duties and GST on the contraband amount to S$421,850.

Upon conviction, first time offenders can be fined up to maximum of 20 times the duties owed.

Upon subsequent convictions, offenders face a maximum of two years in jail and a fine. Further fines may be imposed on the amount of tax evaded. - CNA /ls