2 domestic helpers nabbed for smuggling contraband cigarettes hidden in food items

Two domestic helpers are under investigations for allegedly smuggling duty-unpaid cigarettes, said the Singapore Customs.

Singapore Customs said its officers mounted two operations on November 1 and 2, following referrals from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the Air Cargo Command about two parcels suspected to contain duty-unpaid cigarettes.

Two 26-year-old women were arrested during the operations conducted in Whampoa Drive and Choa Chu Kang Central.

A total of 36 cartons and 56 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes were seized.

The women had allegedly requested their relative or friend in their home country to purchase the cigarettes and packed the cigarettes inside parcels among other items such as chilli powder, instant noodle and medication.

They allegedly used the addresses of their friends in Singapore as delivery addresses for the parcels and would subsequently collect the parcels from their friends.

Investigations are ongoing.