Clementi cleaner discovers contraband cigarettes bulging from unattended suitcase
At least 10 cartons of contraband cigarettes were found.
An unattended suitcase left near a coffee shop in Clementi turned out to be filled with contraband cigarettes, prompting a police and customs investigation.
According to Shin Min Daily News, the black 25-inch suitcase was discovered at around 8am on June 24 behind an elevator next to a coffee shop at Block 450 Clementi Avenue 3 - a short walk from Clementi MRT Station.
A coffee shop employee, who declined to be named, told reporters that a cleaner working at the coffee shop reportedly spotted the bulging suitcase, which had been left unattended for some time.
Curious about its contents, he opened it and found it packed with cigarette cartons, said the employee.
The cleaner informed his supervisor, who alerted the police. Two officers responded to the scene, followed by enforcement officers from Singapore Customs, who conducted a count of the cigarette cartons.
It was reported that the suitcase contained at least 10 cartons of contraband cigarettes, believed to have been smuggled into Singapore.
The employee also told reporters that no one suspicious was stopped or questioned during the investigation.
According to the Chinese daily, the authorities left the scene with the suitcase after completing their checks.
Investigations are ongoing.