In a significant development, thirteen former Certis officers have been charged with multiple offences, including misappropriating items and possessing banned e-vaporisers, during their tenure as enforcement officers. The charges were announced on 30 January 2024 by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB), Health Sciences Authority (HSA), and Singapore Customs.
Background of Allegations
The individuals involved, all Singaporeans named Fitri, Syafiq, Aidil, Hazim, Faddley, Chan, Fairos, and Haziq, allegedly misappropriated contraband worth S$18,327 (approximately US$14,493) from 2019 to 2022. This illicit activity involved cartons and loose packets of duty-unpaid cigarettes, vape pods, and other prohibited tobacco products.
The Conspiracy
- Some suspects are accused of conspiring with each other to misappropriate these goods.
- They were also found with e-vaporisers and components intended for personal use, which had been seized during their enforcement work.
Usage of Confiscated Items
As part of their responsibilities, these enforcement officers were meant to dispose of seized items from various HSA disposal bins. Instead, they are accused of keeping duty-unpaid cigarettes for personal consumption, later discovered in their homes by authorities.
Receiving Stolen Goods
Additionally, ten of the charged individuals allegedly received stolen items from one another, with the total value of these items amounting to about S$1,438.
Obstruction of Justice
Notably, four officers — Faddley, Fairos, Choo, and Tan — are also facing charges for obstructing justice during the CPIB investigation. This included actions such as:
- Destroying evidence by disposing of confiscated items.
- Deleting mobile data related to the investigation.
- Informing co-conspirators of investigation developments.
Potential Penalties
If convicted, those found guilty of criminal breach of trust may face up to 20 years in prison, while other charges carry varying penalties including fines and shorter imprisonment terms. Possessing e-vaporisers could lead to fines up to S$2,000 under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act. Violating Customs laws could result in severe penalties, including up to six years in jail.
The agencies involved have emphasised the importance of integrity and accountability, reiterating their commitment to addressing breaches of trust among enforcement officials.