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Anti-Contraband Cigarettes Roadshows at the Heartlands
Singapore Customs, together with HPB organised a series of roadshows at Tampines, Bedok and Toa Payoh to raise public awareness on the severe penalties for getting involved in duty-unpaid cigarettes. The three roadshows were held during the three weekends from 1 to 15 June 2008. Officers at the roadshows shared information and appealed to the public for support in the fight against contraband cigarettes. A 2-metre tower containing contraband cigarettes was the centerpiece for the roadshows, and participants took part in a contest to guess the number of cigarettes found within the container.
 
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May 2008
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World No Tobacco Day
 To spread our message to youth and Say No to duty-unpaid cigarettes, Singapore Customs joined the Health Promotion Board (HPB) in the World No Tobacco Day 2008 event held at The Cathay on 31 May 2008. Singapore Customs set up a "coffin" filled with contraband cigarette sticks as the event centerpiece to warn youth to stay away from illegal cigarettes..
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Opening of Customs Operations Command
 On 16 May 2008, Singapore Customs officers gathered at the Customs Operations Centre (COC) at Keppel Road to celebrate the opening of the refurbished building after more than six months of renovation works. Officers were taken on a tour of the building to enable staff to better understand its significance and branch operations. To give greater emphasis on the diverse operations and enforcement work undertaken by Singapore Customs, the COC was renamed Customs Operations Command. |
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Public Service Week
Singapore Customs held its Observance Ceremony on 15 May 2008 to mark the inaugural Public Service Week 2008 (PSW). The PSW seeks to remind all public service officers of the good work we do in advancing Singapore and that we belong to a world-class public service. During the ceremony, Singapore Customs officers recited the public service pledge. Director-General of Customs also gave out awards to the winners of the Staff Award Scheme for officers’ accomplishment in customer service excellence and enforcement. |
March 2008
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Singapore Customs Work Plan Seminar
 Singapore Customs held its annual work plan seminar on 20 March 2008 at the Suntec City Convention Centre. More than 300 staff participated in this annual event to chart new directions and work plans for the organisation.
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February 2008
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 Stepped-up Operations against Buying and Selling of Contraband Cigarettes
Enforcement action against sellers and buyers of contraband cigarettes continued on high gear with a series of sting operations on 18 and 19 February 2008. A total of 68 buyers and 8 sellers were caught with over 2,000 packets of contraband cigarettes seized.
"The public must stop buying contraband cigarettes. Not only do they face harsh penalties for the offence, the public demand for such cigarettes will continue to breed and fuel cigarette smuggling and peddling. If we can curb demand, our enforcement actions against smuggling syndicates will be more effective. To win this fight against cigarette smuggling, the public therefore has an important role to play to keep contrabands at bay" - Mr Fong Yong Kian, Director-General of Singapore Customs.
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January 2008 |