Contraband cigarettes found hidden in soft toys declared as 'decorations', Chinese national arrested
Singapore Customs cracked down on a unique smuggling tactic of hiding the cigarettes inside soft toys in a two-day operation from Oct 22 to 23.
Following a referral from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, Customs officers uncovered seven parcels with cigarettes concealed in the plushies declared as "decorations".
A 21-year-old Chinese national was arrested at Tao Ching Road in Jurong with 70 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes in four parcels.
He allegedly received these parcels on behalf of an overseas friend, who instructed him to either deliver the items or arrange collection for buyers in Singapore.
He was charged in the State Courts on Oct 25.
Two more Chinese nationals, aged 22 and 28, were issued composition sums of $3,000 and $2,500 for importing the other three parcels.
All three men are student pass holders.
In total, 115 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were seized with the duties and GST evaded amounting to about $1,279.
