KUALA LUMPUR: Local syndicates are not only using just lorries and trailers to smuggle e-cigarettes and nicotine vape liquid into Singapore but are also using luxury cars as well in an attempt to evade detection and capture.
Based on seizures and captures carried out by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) enforcement, many different types of luxury vehicles are being used for smuggling activities, namely Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi and high end Toyota Vellfire and Alphard MPVs (Multi Purpose Vehicles).
A source revealed that syndicates assume it was much easier for luxury vehicles to get though inspection at checkpoints compared to other vehicles.
"Perhaps these syndicates feel that the 'status' of being perceived as being rich by driving luxury vehicles can evade detection by enforcement. This is why the syndicates choose all sorts of different luxury vehicles to carry out smuggling of e-cigarettes and vape liquid.
"Usually such luxury vehicles are brought to special workshops to have a few compartments modified to conceal items for smuggling, namely the boot, doors, seats, floor board, and the spare tyre compartment," said the source.
According to the source, packages containing e-cigarettes, vape liquid or smuggled cigarettes are put into the concealed compartments before being closed up.
However, the ICA's hi-tech X-Ray machine is still able to detect the smuggled items as proven by the seizures that happen almost every week.
Based on information received, the Singapore enforcement authorities recently confiscated 792 e-cigarettes that were smuggled from Malaysia using an Audi vehicle.
Also confiscated were 3,093 e-cigarette refill pods, apart from 4,000 e-cigarettes and 3,120 e-cigarette refill pods that were hidden in another luxury vehicle, a Mercedes Benz.
"On Nov 23 last year, the syndicate used an Audi vehicle to smuggle 2,700 pods filled with e-cigarette refills apart from 100 disposable e-cigarettes. The seizure also yielded 145 e-cigarette products that were concealed under the seats and floor of a Toyota Vellfire MPV," he said.
Last Saturday Harian Metro revealed the syndicate's smuggling activities involving e-cigarettes and nicotine vape liquid has become even more active.
The syndicate was detected generating income of millions of Ringgit a year as a result of the large scale smuggling activities of e-cigarettes and nicotine vape liquid to neighbouring Singapore and Thailand.
Electronic cigarette products (e-cigarettes) or nicotine vape liquid that is being smuggled into neighbouring countries is often concealed or hidden in the head of the truck or lorry which is usually also known as a 'prime mover'.
Shedding light on the issue, Customs deputy director-general for enforcement and compliance, Datuk Sazali Mohamad said that usually e-cigarette products and vape liquid that is not declared to the Customs Department are hidden and concealed in small quantities.
According to him, the syndicate also enjoys using the modus operandi where they hide or conceal it in the passenger seats on somewhere else in the vehicle.
He explained that checks and inspections are done regularly by the Customs Department together with other relevant agencies such as the Malaysian Quarantine Department and Inspection Services (Maqis).