S'pore rental car at Woodlands Checkpoint found with contraband cigarettes and vapes
A Singapore-registered rental car was found with duty-unpaid cigarettes and vapes at Woodlands Checkpoint on Aug 29.
During routine checks by auxiliary police officers, the cigarettes were discovered in the car's boot.
The vehicle was subsequently directed for enhanced screening where Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers uncovered 34 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes and 18 e-vaporisers and related components.
The case was referred to the Singapore Customs and the Health Sciences Authority for further investigation.
Between Sept 1 and 4, ICA detected 123 cases of travellers found in possession of vapes across all the checkpoints. The cases included travellers who voluntarily disposed of their vapes.
More than 1,500 e-vaporisers and related components were seized.
About 70 per cent of the cases involved short-term visitors and 30 per cent were Singapore residents, meaning Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders.
Since Sept 1, individuals caught possessing, using or importing e-vaporisers will face higher penalties.
Short-term visitors who re-offend will be banned from re-entering Singapore.
Long-term pass holders who re-offend may also have their passes revoked for a third offence, be deported and banned from re-entering Singapore.
Those 18 and above caught vaping in Singapore will be fined $700.
A second offence will require the individual to undergo a three-month rehabilitation programme, consisting of six sessions. Failure to complete the programme will result in prosecution.
For a third or subsequent offence, the offender will be prosecuted in court and may be fined up to $2,000.
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