Figures from the Singapore Customs have revealed that the amount of contraband cigarettes seized last year hit a record high since 2009 — three million packets in total.
TODAY reports that 243 vehicles involved in smuggling the contraband cigarettes were also seized, a significant 65.3 percent increase from the 147 vehicles seized the previous year.
1.1 million packets of illegal cigarettes were hidden and recovered among modified compartments such as the floorboard, rooftop and fuel tanks, worth over $11 million.
In addition, three contraband cigarette syndicates were also disrupted last year, leading to more than 57,000 packets of the items being seized. 11 individuals were arrested during the crackdown, including seven Chinese nationals, three Singaporeans and a permanent resident from Malaysia. Their goods were mainly smuggled by land.
Despite the increase in items seized, the number of contraband cigarette offenders saw a decline with 23,862 offenders caught.
Demand for these cigarettes remain strong as ever, especially since prices of tobacco-related items in Singapore remain the highest in the Southeast Asian region, due to hefty taxes imposed.
Photo: włodi via Flickr
Figures from the Singapore Customs have revealed that the amount of contraband cigarettes seized last year hit a record high since 2009 — three million packets in total.
TODAY reports that 243 vehicles involved in smuggling the contraband cigarettes were also seized, a significant 65.3 percent increase from the 147 vehicles seized the previous year.
1.1 million packets of illegal cigarettes were hidden and recovered among modified compartments such as the floorboard, rooftop and fuel tanks, worth over $11 million.
In addition, three contraband cigarette syndicates were also disrupted last year, leading to more than 57,000 packets of the items being seized. 11 individuals were arrested during the crackdown, including seven Chinese nationals, three Singaporeans and a permanent resident from Malaysia. Their goods were mainly smuggled by land.
Despite the increase in items seized, the number of contraband cigarette offenders saw a decline with 23,862 offenders caught.
Demand for these cigarettes remain strong as ever, especially since prices of tobacco-related items in Singapore remain the highest in the Southeast Asian region, due to hefty taxes imposed.
Photo: włodi via Flickr