NEWS
SINGAPORE ARRESTED THREE CHINESE NATIONALS FOR MAKING & DEALING BOOTLEG LIQUOR
By Susan Lewis
23-9-2019
Singapore Customs announced that they have raided an illegal distillery in a public housing block and arrested two Chinese nationals for allegedly manufacturing dutiable liquor and possession of a still without a licence.
A third Chinese national was arrested one day earlier for dealing duty-unpaid liquor after custom officers uncovered a total of nine bottles of duty-unpaid liquor from him. The three are aged between 25 and 40 years old, they will face up to 6 years in jail if found guilty.
On 12 September, Singapore Customs officers mounted an operation at a void deck of a public housing block in Jurong East Street.
During the operation, a man was found with six bottles of duty-unpaid liquor. Officers uncovered another three bottles in a follow-up search at the man’s residence.
The man was arrested for dealing with duty-unpaid liquor. Investigations revealed that the man had purchased the duty-unpaid liquor from two other men who had manufactured the liquor.
On 13 September, officers raided a public housing unit in Bukit Batok Street. Officers arrested two men for manufacturing and storing dutiable liquor and possession of a still without a licence.
The operation resulted in the seizure of one porcelain jar and nine bottles of duty-unpaid liquor with an estimated volume of 58 litres, and assorted manufacturing apparatuses.
Singapore Customs said investigations are still ongoing. Buying, selling, conveying, delivering, storing, keeping, having in possession or dealing with duty-unpaid goods are serious offences under the Customs Act and the Goods and Service Tax (GST) Act.
Offenders can be fined up to 40 times the amount of duty and GST evaded and/or jailed for up to six years.
Manufacturing dutiable goods or having in possession any still, utensil, apparatus, equipment or machinery for the manufacture of dutiable goods without a licence are offences under the Customs Act. Offenders can be fined up to $5,000 and/or jailed for up to 18 months.
(the writer can be contacted at: SusanLewis@thewinechronicle.com)
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