abit off topic here but just see how strict sg can be ...
Not so innocent smoke
by Ellen Joy Anastacio
All Mohd Zahari Bin Matnin wanted to do while he was at Causeway Point Shopping Centrel was to take a quick puff.
Little did the 39-year-old Singaporean know that this would lead to his arrest -
and a $2,200 fine.
Earlier this month, on July 24, Mohd Zahari was at the shopping centre when Singapore Customs officers conducting enforcement rounds saw him taking out a cigarette stick.
Suspecting the packet to be duty-unpaid, they approached him. On seeing the officer's warrant card, Mohd Zahari turned and ran off, but was apprehended after a short chase. During the arrest, he continuously shouted vulgarities -"F**k you" at the officer.
He was sentenced by the court to fines totalling $2,200 or in default 17 days imprisonment for
three counts of offences under the Customs Act, including verbally abusing a Singapore Customs officer and for possession of duty-unpaid cigarettes.
He was not the only one to be arrested, 39 buyers and eight illegal peddlers were caught when Singapore Customs conducted island-wide enforcement raids at Geylang, Tampines, Bedok, Marsiling, Aljunied, Boon Lay, Jurong East and Woodlands from July 23 -24, 2008, said a media release.
The statement also said that 2,707 packets of duty unpaid cigarettes were seized from various hiding places such as in the back alley rubbish chutes, unused letter boxes, electric risers, hanging from tree branches, in the drains, etc.
Mr Lee Boon Chong, Assistant Director-General of Customs (Intelligence & Investigation) said, "Singapore Customs will continue to mount more enforcement raids island-wide. We are also deploying more uniformed enforcement manpower to step up checks. With a heavier penalty in place, we want to remove the demand for illegal cigarettes to clamp down illegal peddling and buying activities. We urge the public to support our cause and stay away from illegal cigarettes."
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.
Members of the public who have information on cigarette smuggling or peddling activities can call the Singapore Customs hotline at 1800-2330000 or email
customs_intelligence@customs.gov.sg.
39 people fined S$500 each for buying illegal cigarettes
By Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 30 July 2008 1938 hrs
SINGAPORE: Thirty-nine people have been hit with high fines for buying illegal cigarettes, following a crackdown last weekend.
This is the first major operation by Singapore Customs since the standardised penalty of S$500 was imposed on July 15.
Previously, only first-time offenders nabbed in contraband hotspots in Geylang and Yew Tee would be subject to a fine of this amount.
Some 2,700 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes - hidden in back alley rubbish chutes, drains and unused letter boxes - were seized in the operation.
Packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were even found hanging from tree branches and stashed away in electric risers.
Eight sellers were also arrested in the raids which were conducted in the eastern and western parts of Singapore, such as Geylang, Tampines, Jurong and Woodlands.
To remove the demand for illegal cigarettes, the authorities have pledged to mount more raids islandwide.
One buyer, 39-year-old Mohd Zahari Matnin, has received more than the standard S$500 fine as he was also convicted of hurling vulgarities at a customs officer.
He was fined a total of S$2,200 for three charges under the Customs Act.
Singapore Customs said the new S$500 penalty is aimed at reducing the number of illegal cigarettes on the market.
In the first half of 2008, 1.6 million packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were seized, and 2,549 buyers were caught and fined.
- CNA/so
