44-Year-Old Malaysian Driver Arrested for Cigarette Smuggling

On December 1, 2025, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at Woodlands Checkpoint foiled an attempt to smuggle a significant haul of duty-unpaid cigarettes into Singapore.

Acting on information from the Integrated Targeting Centre (ITC), ICA Search & Examination officers conducted enhanced checks on a Malaysia-registered car. They discovered over 370 cartons and 1,600 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes concealed within modified compartments of the vehicle.

A 44-year-old male Malaysian driver was arrested in connection with the smuggling case. The driver and the seized contraband were handed over to Singapore Customs for further investigation. The ICA stated its commitment to facilitating trade and travel while upholding the safety and security of Singapore’s borders.

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PM Lawrence Wong Declares War on Vapes and Kpods in Singapore

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced on 17 August 2025 that Singapore will take much tougher action against vaping, treating it as a serious drug issue with stiffer penalties. While vaping has been banned since 2018, illegal imports continue, often containing harmful substances like etomidate. The government plans to impose harsher fines, jail time, and mandatory rehabilitation for offenders, while providing addiction support for users. A nationwide enforcement campaign will target schools, tertiary institutions, and national service personnel. Recent measures include reclassifying etomidate under the Misuse of Drugs Act, collaboration between HSA and Hong Kong authorities, and hiring investigators to crack down on Kpods. The public can report vaping offences via hotline or online, and those seeking help to quit will not face penalties. Authorities aim to combine education, enforcement, and rehabilitation to curb vaping and protect young people in Singapore.

Multi-Agency Operations in Geylang Lead to Investigation of 30 Individuals

From November 27 to December 9, 2023, Bedok Police Division spearheaded multi-agency operations in Geylang, resulting in the investigation of 18 men and 12 women, aged 24 to 65. These joint efforts with agencies such as CID, CNB, HSA, SCDF, ICA, and others targeted various offenses, including illegal gambling, vice activities, and the sale of unregistered health products. Arrests were made for offenses ranging from the Gambling Control Act to the Health Products Act. The operations also uncovered illegal drug activities and violations under the Massage Establishments Act. The comprehensive crackdown involved checks on public entertainment outlets, hotels, anti-vice operations, and enforcement against duty-unpaid cigarettes. The Commanding Officer of Geylang Neighbourhood Police Centre praised the collaborative efforts and emphasized a zero-tolerance approach towards illegal activities, urging the public to report any unlawful behavior to the Police.

Next Generation ERP Singapore

Authorized car distributors in Singapore will begin installing onboard units (OBUs) for the new satellite-based Electronic Road Pricing system, ERP 2.0, starting with fleet vehicles in November. Private vehicles will follow in batches, with completion expected by the end of 2025. Motor dealerships have been involved in planning the OBU installation, and the three-piece OBU set will be provided to motorists for free during the installation period. Motorists can choose to install or not install the touchscreen display. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) aims to streamline the process, and it has no immediate plans to introduce distance-based charging with ERP 2.0. During the transition, the existing ERP charging method will remain in place. What are your thoughts? You may post anonymously below. Here are some of Social Media users' top comments:

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