BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: A 31-year-old local man has been fined a total of BND363,000 (US$286,127) at the Bandar Magistrate’s Court after pleading guilty to multiple customs offences involving cigarettes, vape products and alcohol without valid permits.
The Royal Customs and Excise Department said Mohammad Safwan Jahidin was arrested on February 15, 2025, at around 4.47pm by enforcement officers in two separate locations — a residence in RPN Tanah Jambu and another in Kampong Mentiri.
Seized items included 405 cartons and 151 packets of cigarettes of various brands, 68 vape pods and 53 vape accessories, as well as 204 cans and 52 bottles of alcoholic beverages.
The accused was charged on April 14, 2026, before Senior Magistrate Dewi Norlelawati Binti Haji Abdul Hamid with five counts under Section 146(1)(d) of the Excise Order 2006 for possession of controlled goods without a valid permit.
He pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced on April 16 to a total fine of BND363,000, or 36 months’ imprisonment in default of payment.
All seized items were ordered forfeited to the government for disposal. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
