27-05-2025
Bangladeshi man fined BND27,000 for contraband possession in Brunei
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Magistrate's Court yesterday handed a BND27,860 (US$21736) fine to a 41-year-old Bangladeshi man after he pleaded guilty to possessing smuggled cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.
Md Deluar Hossain would have to serve 18 months' jail in default of payment of the fine.
Magistrate Abdul 'Azim Othman heard that the defendant was apprehended by Customs preventive officers from the Brunei-Muara District Operations Unit under the Commercial and Law Enforcement Division during a raid at a workers' quarters in Kampong Sengkurong, Jalan Jerudong, on May 13 at around 8.15pm.
The first charge against the defendant stated that he unlawfully possessed 21 cartons, 26 packets and 19 sticks of various types of cigarettes.
The second charge stated that he illegally possessed 36 cans of assorted alcoholic beverages.
All contraband items and BND1,188 in cash, believed to be proceeds from the sales of the illicit goods, were ordered forfeited to the state for further action. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
