A 53-year-old Filipina, Lydia Bague Tomo, found herself facing legal consequences for possession of smuggled cigarettes and liquor, as the Magistrate’s Court rendered its verdict on Wednesday, ordering her to settle a hefty BND26,500 fine.
Magistrate Sharifah Nur Baqiyah binti Malai Shahran handed down the judgment, directing the defendant to serve a prison term of 18 months if unable to pay the imposed fine. This ruling followed Tomo’s admission of guilt concerning the possession of 19 cartons and 25 packets of cigarettes, alongside 28 bottles of various liquor brands.
According to the Customs and Excise Department prosecutor, customs preventive officers intercepted Tomo upon discovering the contraband at a commercial establishment in Kampong Tanah Jambu, Jalan Muara, at 9:32 am on May 2.
The seized items, amounting to BND739.80 and SGD11 in cash, along with a mobile phone, were disclosed during the investigation.
Furthermore, the court decreed the destruction of the confiscated cigarettes and liquor, while the cash and mobile phone were forfeited to the state. – Fadley Faisal
