JOHOR BARU: A Malaysian man's attempt to enter Singapore with duty-unpaid cigarettes hidden in his pickup truck's tyres came unstuck at Woodlands Checkpoint, where officers uncovered more than 980 boxes.

The 31-year-old was arrested after Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers diverted his Malaysia-registered car for enhanced checks on Sept 26.

ICA said its search and examination officers discovered the cigarettes concealed within the tyres. Photographs shared by ICA showed that the tyres had been cut open and stuffed with cigarette boxes in an attempt to evade detection.

The man, along with the seized items, was referred to Singapore Customs for further investigation.