A 28-year-old Bangladeshi national, Lalchand Mahmud Santo, was fined BND65,100 by the Magistrate’s Court in Kuala Belait after pleading guilty to possessing contraband cigarettes and alcohol.
Lalchand will have to serve 23 months’ imprisonment in default of payment of the fine.
The Customs prosecutor revealed that Lalchand was arrested by enforcement officers from the Belait District Customs Prevention Unit at a residence in Kampong Lumut on March 5 at 3.15pm. He was found in possession of 57 cartons and 10 packets of cigarettes of various brands and 28 bottles of liquor of various brands.
Magistrate Nur Eleana binti Dato Seri Paduka Haji Hairol Arni also ordered the confiscation of all seized items, including the contraband cigarettes and alcohol, for destruction by the authorities. Additionally, cash amounting to BND928 and SGD15, along with a mobile phone, were forfeited to the government for further action. – Fadley Faisal
