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SINGAPORE: Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers foiled a cigarette smuggling attempt at the Tuas Checkpoint last Friday.
8,349 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found hidden among boxes of plastic storage containers in a container truck.
The potential customs duty and GST payable for the contraband cigarettes amounted to some S$640,000.
There was drama when the Malaysian driver was directed to an inspection bay after a routine scan found anomalies in the images. He crashed the prime mover into a pillar when the vehicle was directed to an inspection bay.
The 47-year-old driver was found not qualified to handle a prime mover and was referred to the police for investigations.
A relief driver and an assistant, who were sent by the company to take over the vehicle, were asked to witness the inspection.
Both Malaysian drivers claimed that they were engaged by a "Mr Foo", also a Malaysian, to deliver the goods as the driver had met with an accident.
"Mr Foo" had also arranged for a car outside the Tuas Checkpoint to lead them to the delivery venue, as they were unfamiliar with the roads in Singapore.
Each of them would be paid 200 ringgit when they return to Malaysia. They are currently assisting the Singapore Customs in its investigation.
- CNA/sc
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