SINGAPORE : The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has detained a Malaysian driver and seized 6,101 cartons of contraband cigarettes worth S$555,000 hidden in cases of toilet rolls.

The seizure is believed to be the largest haul of contraband cigarettes this year.

The toilet rolls were ferried in a Malaysia-registered truck at the Woodlands Checkpoint on Wednesday.

ICA officers noticed that the 32-year-old Malaysian truck driver appeared nervous.

Officers also observed that the truck was filled to the maximum capacity of 1,200 cases of toilet rolls. But the vehicle was declared to be carrying a smaller consignment of just 660 cases of toilet rolls.

When officers checked the truck, they uncovered the 6,101 cartons which contained 200 sticks of cigarettes each.

The driver said he had collected the cargo together with the contraband cigarettes from a factory in Johor.

He said he was promised just over S$8 (RM20) per carton if he successfully delivers the consignment across the Causeway.

The case has been referred to Singapore Customs for further investigations.

If convicted, first time offenders can be fined up to a maximum of 20 times the amount of duty evaded.

Repeat offenders can be jailed for up to two years and fined. - CNA/de