On 18 June 2009, a 45 year-old Singaporean taxi driver, Goh Zhengan Colin pleaded guilty to two charges of delivering 1,500 packets of illegal cigarettes using his taxi.

He was convicted and sentenced by the court to a total of 12 months' jail for committing offences under the Customs and GST Acts.

The cigarettes were worth more than $13,600 and the duty and GST evaded amounted to more than $11,510.

On 2 June 2009, Singapore Customs officers kept watch in the vicinity of Dunman Road for a taxi suspected to convey illegal cigarettes. The officers began to trail the vehicle all the way to Joo Chiat Road outside Katong Mall.

Officers found 1,500 packets of illegal cigarettes in the boot.

Investigations revealed that he was using his taxi to deliver illegal cigarettes to some back lanes at the Geylang area. This was his fifth time performing the delivery of illegal cigarettes. He was paid $80 for every successful delivery.

Singapore Customs warns 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. 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, buyers face a minimum fine of $500 or prosecution in court.