Fadley Faisal
An Indonesian man yesterday has denied charges of possessing over 12,000 cartons of smuggled cigarettes, and illegally entering the country after being blacklisted.
Sumardi, 40, was linked to a smuggling operation, following the discovery of the contraband in a porter’s cabin in Kampong Pengkalan Batu in January.
Yesterday in the Magistrate’s Court, Sumardi denied charges of possessing smuggled cigarettes, re-entering and residing in the country while being barred and illegal entry.
Senior Magistrate Hajah Ervy Sufitriana binti Haji Abdul Rahman heard from Prosecutor Husna Abidin that the defendant allegedly kept 12,024 cartons, 269 packets and 61 sticks of smuggled cigarettes at the cabin. The defendant is alleged to have re-entered and resided in Brunei on August 15, 2022 after he was previously barred from entering the country. The prosecutor also alleged that he had entered the country that day without a valid travel document.
The court adjourned the case to March 2 for trial dates to be fixed.
