A trailer driver found in possession of cigarettes and alcohol was ordered to settle a BND24,000 fine, or serve 18 months’ jail in default of payment of the fine following his guilty plea to the possession charges.
Magistrate Syaffina binti Shahif heard from the Customs prosecutor that Customs preventive officers stopped the 45-year-old Indonesian Saiful Efendi, who was driving a trailer truck, along the roadside of Bukit Beruang, Tutong District highway at 6.57pm on November 4.
An inspection led to the officers unearthing 23 cartons of cigarettes, 24 bottles of liquor and 24 cans of beer, all undeclared, in the vehicle.
Officers also found BND2,249 cash, confirmed to be proceeds from illegal sales of the contraband. The court ordered the bootleg destroyed and the cash forfeited. – Fadley Faisal
