Acting on intelligence gathered, enforcement agencies here smashed a syndicate's ploy to smuggle 26,749 packets of duty-unpaid cigarette worth over $243,415.

The duty and GST involved amounted to over $205,350. Ten men (four Singaporeans, three Malaysians and three Bangladesh nationals) were arrested on June 25. Three vehicles were also seized.

At 8.45 pm on the night of the sting, a Malaysian-registered lorry was seen entering a rubbish dump at Marsiling Drive. Several men then appeared on the scene.

The roller shutter of the rubbish dump was pulled down, and subsequently, loud drilling and knocking noises could be heard coming from the dump.

According to a government media statement, "at 11.00 pm, when the roller shutter was being pulled up, the officers moved in and detained the 10 men inside. They found several canvas bags packed with cigarettes. A total of 25,440 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were seized. Dismantled metal cabinets were strewn all over inside the dump. Investigations revealed that the metal cabinets were unloaded from the lorry. These cabinets were fitted with special compartments to hide the duty-unpaid cigarettes. The men had to cut open the metal parts to retrieve the hidden cigarettes, which explained the loud drilling and banging noises heard earlier."

The joint operation was carried out by Singapore Customs, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority and Singapore Police Force.

A follow-up raid was conducted at one of the suspect's residence at Jalan Limbok. Another 1,309 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were seized from the storeroom.

All 10 men will be charged in Court for Customs offences.

In a statement, Singapore Customs warned that buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, having in possession or dealing with contraband cigarettes are serious offences under the Customs and GST Acts.

"Stiff penalties are imposed for such offences. On conviction, offenders can be jailed as well as fined. The vehicles used in the commission of such offence are also liable to be forfeited. The public are strongly advised not to buy duty-unpaid cigarettes. For possessing a packet of duty-unpaid cigarettes, an offender may face a minimum fine of $500 or prosecution in court," it said.

"As Singapore's first line of defence against terrorist threats, ICA has a duty to ensure the security and safety of Singapore. ICA has tightened security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband into Singapore."

It added: "The same methods of concealment used by contraband smugglers may be used by terrorists to smuggle arms and explosives to carry out attacks in Singapore. ICA would like to advise the public against smuggling unlawful goods into Singapore."

Members of the public with information on smuggling activities or evasion of Customs duty or GST should contact the Singapore Customs Hotline at 1800-2330000 or email to customs_intelligence@customs.gov.sg.