BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Two Bruneian men were fined more than BND281,000 in total after pleading guilty to multiple offences involving the possession of vape products, e-cigarettes and related items without valid authorisation.
According to the Royal Customs and Excise Department (RCED) under the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the cases involved Muhammad Asnawi bin Zaini, 27, and Mohammad Aiman Shazni bin Sazali, 22.
The offences were detected during operations carried out on July 23, 2024, at the Sungai Tujoh Control Post in Kuala Belait and on Nov 12, 2024, at a house in Perpindahan Rimba Gadong.
The arrests were made by customs inspection officers at the Sungai Tujoh Control Post and law enforcement officers from the RCED.
The two accused appeared before Magistrate Sharifah Nur Baqiyah binti Malai Shahran at the Bandar Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (May 13, 2026).
They faced four charges under Section 146(1)(d) of the Excise Order 2006 for possessing vape products, e-cigarettes, vape juice, cigarettes and vape batteries without lawful permission.
The seized items included 317 units of vape products, e-cigarettes and vape juice under the first charge, 860 units under the second charge, one vape device and four cigarettes under the third charge, as well as two vape batteries under the fourth charge.
For the first charge, Muhammad Asnawi was fined BND38,168 or 14 months’ imprisonment in default.
For the second charge, both accused were each fined BND118,650 or 20 months’ imprisonment in default.
Muhammad Asnawi was also fined BND5,000 or five months’ imprisonment for the third charge, and B$1,500 or one month’s imprisonment for the fourth charge.
In total, Muhammad Asnawi was fined BND163,318 or face 40 months’ imprisonment if the fines are not paid, while Mohammad Aiman Shazni was fined BND118,650 or 20 months’ imprisonment in default.
All vape products, e-cigarettes, vape juice and cigarettes involved in the case were ordered forfeited to the government for disposal.
Cash amounting to BND4,906 and a vehicle linked to the offences were also confiscated by the government for further action. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
