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SINGAPORE : Officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority have foiled yet another cigarette smuggling attempt - on board a ferry boat arriving from Indonesia.
2,000 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes were found stashed underneath the floorboard of the "MV Ocean Raider" during routine checks last Thursday at about 9am.
The total value of the contraband cigarettes was about S$196,500, while the potential customs duty and GST payable for the cigarettes amounted to about S$166,150 and S$13,850 respectively.
Two of the Indonesian crew admitted that they were involved in the smuggling attempt and had planned to deliver the cigarettes to a Singaporean at the Pandan River Bridge.
They were promised S$8 for every carton of cigarettes smuggled into Singapore.
The ICA has reminded ferry operators to ensure that their vessels are not used for smuggling unlawful goods or persons into Singapore.
Upon conviction, first time offenders can be fined up to 20 times the amount of duty evaded and liable to a jail term of up to three years.
For second or subsequent convictions, offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty evaded and jailed for up to six years.
Offenders also face further fines based on the amount of GST evaded.
- CNA/al
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