A Philippine national was fined BND28,570 after pleading guilty at the Bandar Seri Begawan Magistrates’ Court on October 5 to possessing 38 bottles of vape juice flavouring and three vape devices without valid authorisation.
Magistrate Hajah Normazdina Haji Md Maksub convicted John Christopher Castro of the charge under section 146(1)(d) of the Excise Order 2006, in which he would have to serve 13 months’ imprisonment in default of payment of the fine.
The Customs prosecutor informed the court that Castro was arrested by Customs inspection officers on arrival at Brunei International Airport on October 3 at about 1.15am, on being found carrying the items.
The court ordered all the vape devices and vape juice involved to be forfeited to the Government for disposal.