THE Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) foiled an attempt to smuggle 11,285 cartons and 7,685 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes into the republic using a Malaysia-registered lorry on January 13.

The agency said its officers at Woodlands Checkpoint noticed anomalies in the X-ray images of the consignments, Lunar New Year-related figurines, transported by the lorry.

“During the course of checks, they uncovered contraband cigarettes concealed inside these figurines,” ICA said in a posting on its Facebook page today.

The authority said the case was referred to Singapore Customs for further investigations.

“This method of concealment is a cause for concern as similar methods may be used by people with ill intent to smuggle security items into Singapore,” said ICA.

The agency said it will continue to conduct security checks on passengers, goods and vehicles so as to safeguard Singapore’s security. – Bernama, January 16, 2021.