PUBLISHED ONOctober 22, 2026 1:08 PMBYSean LerImmigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers had to bring out their tyre-cutting tools as they sliced open the tyres of a Malaysia-registered pickup truck at Woodlands Checkpoint on Oct 11.
In a video posted on its social media on Thursday (Oct 22), officers are seen cutting open the wall of a tyre, revealing packets of cigarettes bundled in plastic packaging.
Once it was established that there could be more contraband items, officers are seen removing all four tyres and cutting them open.
More bundles were removed, eventually filling one table, and a third of another.
According to ICA, the discovery of more than 1,380 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes was made during an enhanced check, adding that the items were concealed within tyre rims.
A 23-year-old male Malaysian driver was arrested and the case has been referred to the Singapore Customs for further investigation.
Buying, selling, conveying, possessing or dealing with duty-unpaid goods are serious offences under the Customs Act and the Goods and Services Tax Act.
Offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty evaded, jailed for up to six years, or both.
Vehicles used in these offences and proceeds of sales of duty-unpaid goods may also be forfeited.
[[nid:748365]]
