The Magistrate’s Court handed a BND10,000 fine on a 43-year-old local man after he pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing smuggled cigarettes yesterday.
Muhammad Aiman Rafiuddin bin Abdullah Waliam would have to serve 10 months in prison in default of payment of the fines.
The customs prosecutor revealed the first offence on May 8, involved the possession of 26 packets and 28 sticks of various types of cigarettes. The second offence on September 19, involved the possession of two cartons and one packet of assorted cigarettes. Both incidents took place at his residence in RPN Kampong Bukit Beruang.
The case was brought before Magistrate Nur Eleana binti Dato Seri Paduka Haji Hairol Arni at the Tutong Magistrate’s Court.
In addition to the fines, the court ordered that the seized cigarettes be confiscated and handed over to the authorities for destruction. – Fadley Faisal
