BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bulletin/Asia New Network): A Malaysian man who worked as a freelance ‘runner’ was sentenced to a year’s jail and ordered to settle a fine of BND211,610 for attempting to bribe an enforcement officer and smuggling contraband.
Eric Wong See Heng, 25, would have to serve an additional 25 months in default of payment.
The defendant confirmed he is not able to pay the fine and will be serving 37 months’ jail.
Magistrate Syaffina Shahif handed the sentences after hearing a guilty plea.
The defendant offered money in the thousands to a Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer on Aug 2.
The bribe was to entice the officer from taking actions after the discovery of 266 vape units and related items in the defendant’s car at Sungai Tujoh Control Post on July 27. The defendant was making delivery from Miri, Sarawak in Malaysia to Brunei.
Prosecutor Siti Khalillah binti Hussin revealed that the defendant drove from Miri to Brunei, passing through the Sungai Tujoh Control Post in Kuala Belait.
At the control post after completing immigration check, the defendant was ordered to stop for a routine inspection by an NCB officer.
The inspection unearthed several brown boxes inside the vehicle. The defendant said they were electrical items belonging to his mother. The boxes were then x-rayed.
This revealed the contraband items and then the defendant offered bribe.
The defendant offered BND1,000 to BND2,000 while patting a trouser pocket.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) received a report from the officer and launched investigations leading to the defendant’s prosecution.
It was found that the smuggled items were worth BND21,161 in excise duty. The defendant told ACB that he loaded the boxes which were picked up from various shops in Miri into his vehicle to deliver to customers in the Sultanate.
It was discovered that the defendant would receive a fee for his delivery services and admitted to having delivered vape and related items to Brunei customers over the past five to six months.
On average, the defendant received BND1,600 to BND2,000 for his services.
During investigation, Royal Customs and Excise Department (RCED) officers also found cash in various currencies in the defendant’s bag.
