JOHOR BARU: Behind the car radio, inside door panels and beneath the boot lining, almost every hollow space in a Malaysia-registered car was used to conceal contraband cigarettes bound for Singapore.

The elaborate concealment failed at Woodlands Checkpoint on Oct 5, when Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers stopped the vehicle for enhanced checks.

They uncovered more than 700 cartons and 2,000 packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes.

The 32-year-old Malaysian driver was arrested, and both him and the seized cigarettes were referred to Singapore Customs.