A 53-year-old local man was fined BND47,000 after pleading guilty to possessing smuggled cigarettes.
Haji Mohammad Jefri bin Mahmud would have to serve 15 months’ imprisonment in default of payment of the fine.
He was charged under Section 146(1)(d) of the Excise Order 2006.
Sitting in the Kuala Belait Magistrate’s Court, Magistrate Nur Eleana Dato Paduka Haji Hairol Arni heard that the offence took place on May 6, 2023 at RPN Kampong Pandan ‘A’, Kuala Belait.
A total of 38 cartons and 86 packets of cigarettes of various brands were seized during the operation.
Cash amounting to BND115 was also seized.
All seized items, including the cigarettes and cash, were ordered to be forfeited and handed over to the Government for further action.