SINGAPORE – Fourteen lorry drivers and attendants have been handed jail terms of up to two months for smuggling 54,392 pieces of e-vaporisers and related components into Singapore.
The prohibited products have a street value of around S$700,000 (RM2.1 million), the largest seizure in the republic, so far.
The Singapore Health Sciences Authority (HSA) in a statement today said the individuals were prosecuted on June 28.
“The 14 smugglers, aged between 22 and 54, attempted to smuggle the prohibited products but were foiled by Immigration & Checkpoints Authority officers at the Tuas checkpoint on June 7.
“The officers found the products concealed in the passenger seats of seven Malaysian-registered lorries, which were used to transport live chickens into Singapore.”
The lorries are operated by a Malaysian company.
Investigations revealed that the individuals were instructed to proceed to a designated location in Singapore, where they will be approached by a person who will collect the products.
HSA reminded the public that the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act bans the import, distribution, sale or offer for sale of harmful or imitation tobacco products. These include e-vaporisers and their components.
A person convicted of an offence is liable to a fine of up to S$10,000, or prison of up to six months, or both, for the first offence, and a fine of up to S$20,000, or prison of up to 12 months, or both, for the second or subsequent offence. – Bernama, July 5, 2021
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