BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Two Bruneian men were fined a combined BND948,100 after pleading guilty to multiple offences under the Excise Order 2006 involving the possession of untaxed cigarettes, vape products, and alcoholic beverages without valid permits.
Mohd Azri Jaffpri, 34, and Syazrin Syafie Syahmi Suhaili, 26, appeared before the Magistrate’s Court in Bandar Seri Begawan on Wednesday (July 29), where Magistrate Syaffina Shahif heard the case.
The offences stemmed from five separate enforcement operations between March 2021 and December 2022 at various locations, including Kampong Mulaut, Sengkurong, Kampong Batong, Kampong Kulapis, and Kampong Parit Agau.
Four of the operations were carried out by enforcement officers from the Royal Customs and Excise Department, with the final arrest on Dec 24, 2022, made by the Royal Brunei Police Force’s Limau Manis Branch.
During the operations, authorities seized substantial quantities of contraband, including 722 cartons and 11 packets of various brands of cigarettes, 71 vape devices, along with six cartons, 11 bottles, and one can of alcoholic beverage.
Cash amounting to BND13,588 and SGD2 was also seized during the arrest. The pair were charged under Section 146(1)(d) of the Excise Order 2006 for possessing cigarettes, vape products, and alcoholic beverages without valid permits.
Mohd Azri pleaded guilty to all 11 charges and was sentenced to a total fine of BND766,600. In default of payment, he will serve 134 months’ imprisonment.
Syazrin pleaded guilty to two charges and was fined a total of BND181,500.
In default of payment, he will serve 28 months’ imprisonment.
The court also ordered that the seized cigarettes, vape products, and alcoholic beverages be forfeited to the government for destruction. – Borneo Bulletin/ANN
