ICA's largest haul of contraband cigarettes in 5 years

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has scored its largest haul of contraband cigarettes in five years - 412,000 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes with an estimated street value of S$4.12 million.

The evaded duty and GST involved amounted to some S$3.2 million.

The cigarettes were found in a 40-footer container at the Pasir Panjang Scanning Station on Wednesday.

Singapore Customs has taken over the case for further investigations.

If convicted, first-time offenders can be fined up to 20 times the amount of duty evaded and be liable for a jail term not exceeding three years.

For second or subsequent convictions, offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty evaded and jailed for up to six years.

The offenders also face further fines based on the amount of GST evaded.

The vehicles used in transporting the contraband can also be seized.