2,400 cartons of contraband cigarettes seized by ICA over the weekend

SINGAPORE: Checkpoints officers seized a total of about 2,400 cartons of contraband cigarettes and about 700 bundles of chewing tobacco over the weekend.

The biggest haul was made at about 8.30am on January 12 at Tuas Checkpoint.

Officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) seized about 1,500 cartons of contraband cigarettes and about 700 sachets of chewing tobacco weighing about 210 kilograms. These were hidden in crates of machine parts.

The cigarettes have a potential customs duty of about S$105,000 and GST of about S$10,000.

The 42—year—old driver of the Malaysia—registered truck was arrested.

At Woodlands Checkpoint, a 33—year—old Malaysian man was caught trying to bring in a live sugar glider at about 5.30pm on January 12.

He hid the marsupial in a perforated toothpaste box in the inner pocket of his jacket. The man was given a compound fine and a stern warning, while the sugar glider was sent to the Singapore Zoo.

—CNA/ac