Illegal cigarettes hidden in sofa sets Click on thumbnail to view
Photos: ICA

OVER 29,000 packets of illegal cigarettes were uncovered hidden in sofa seats being transported from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore.

The 52 cartons of cigarettes, estimated to be valued at about $145,600, were hidden within the base of 56 hollowed out sofa seats.

The stash was uncovered by Officers from the Singapore customs (SC) and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in a joint operation on June 23.

The truck used to transport the goods was targeted by the officers and trailed before it reached the Woodlands Centre open car park.

The driver, 30, who is Malaysian, had driven all the way from Kuala Lumpur into Singapore.

He has been sentenced to prison for two and a half years.

Buying, selling, delivering, possession or dealing with contraband cigarettes is a serious offence in Singapore.

Anyone caught possessing a packet of duty-unpaid cigarettes face a minimum fine of $500 or prosecution in court.