Chewing tobacco uncovered in car boot
SINGAPORE – A 36 year-old Singaporean man pleaded guilty for distributing sachets of chewing tobacco and was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment on August, 7, 2009.
As a distributor, Shankar s/o Magalimgam was paid $1.50 as commission, for every 30 sachets successfully delivered.
On August 4, Shankar was on his way to replenish his stocks of chewing tobacco when Singapore Customs (SC) officers found him behaving suspiciously in his car at the carpark of Block 614, Choa Chu Kang, Street 62.
Shankar had rented a car to make his deliveries to customers. A total of 12,600 sachets of Han’s Chhap Scented Khani chewing tobacco was found concealed in the boot of his vehicle.
The amount of duty evaded added up to $20,525.40.
Shankar had connections with the two foreigners, also arrested the same day, who were running an illegal collection centre for stocks of illegal cigarettes and chewing tobacco in their rental flat.
Since April 2009, Shankar had made several successful deliveries of chewing tobacco.
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.
The public are also strongly advised not to buy duty-unpaid cigarettes. For possessing a packet of duty-unpaid cigarettes, buyers face a minimum fine of $500 or prosecution in court.
Copyright © Sep 08, 2009 Asiaone
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