SINGAPORE : Officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority on Tuesday arrested four people and seized contraband cigarettes worth nearly $200,000 in two separate cases at Woodlands Checkpoint.

In the first case, ICA officers uncovered contraband cigarettes hidden in a car.

The cigarettes, worth some $30,300 in customs duty and $2,700 in GST, were found hidden in various places, including door panels, boot, backrest and undercarriage.

The 21-year-old Malaysian driver and his 18-year-old female companion were both detained.

About four hours later, ICA officers made one of their largest haul of contraband cigarettes this year.

Contraband cigarettes, worth some $151,000 in customs duty and $13,500 in GST, were found hidden in a Malaysian-registered lorry at the checkpoint.

The 38-year-old driver and his 25-year-old woman passenger had earlier declared the lorry to be carrying dustbin bags and calcium carbonate.

The driver and his passenger were also detained.

Both cases have been referred to the Singapore Customs for further investigations. - CNA/de