A 73-year-old local man was fined BND8,000 after pleading guilty to possessing contraband cigarettes without a valid permit.
Haji Mohammad bin Awang Pukol would have to serve eight 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 13, 2024 at the Sungai Tujoh Customs Control Post, Kuala Belait.
The defendant was found in possession of 10 cartons of cigarettes of various brands.
All seized items were ordered to be forfeited and handed over to the Government for disposal.