A 37-year-old local man was fined BND35,150 after pleading guilty to five charges involving the possession of contraband items, including vape products, cigarettes, firecrackers and alcohol.
Nor Afashahiza bin Awang Mohammad would have to serve 31 months’ jail in default of payment of the fine.
He was charged under Section 146(1)(d) of the Excise Order 2006, which relates to the possession of dutiable and prohibited goods.
The defendant pleaded guilty to all five charges.
Sitting in the Bandar Seri Begawan Magistrate’s Court earlier today, Senior Magistrate Dewi Norlelawati Haji Abdul Hamid heard from the Customs prosecutor that the case stemmed from an operation conducted by officers from the Royal Customs and Excise Department on June 7, 2023 at two locations — a parking area at Soon Lee Megamart, Lambak Kanan, and a residence in the RPN Kampong Tanah Jambu area.
A total of 322 vape pods of various types, three vape accessories, one packet of cigarettes, 14 boxes of firecrackers and one can of alcoholic beverage were seized during the operation.
All seized items were ordered to be forfeited and handed over to the Government for disposal.