(Bandar Seri Begawan, 30th) Two Bruneian men were fined a total of $948,100 for violating multiple provisions of the Excise Duties Order 2006, including the illegal possession of untaxed cigarettes, e-cigarette products, and alcoholic beverages.
The 34-year-old Mohamad Azri and 26-year-old Shazlin Shafie Shami appeared in the Bandar Seri Begawan Magistrate’s Court yesterday, presided over by Magistrate Shafina.
These offenses stemmed from five enforcement actions conducted at multiple locations between March 2021 and December 2022, including Kampong Mulaut, Sengkurong, Kampong Padang, Kampong Kurapis, and Kampong Parit Akar.
Four of the enforcement actions were carried out by officers from the Royal Customs and Excise Department, and the final arrest took place on December 24, 2022, by the Limau Manis branch of the Royal Brunei Police Force.
During the operations, authorities seized large quantities of contraband, including 722 cartons and 11 packs of various brands of cigarettes, 71 e-cigarette devices, and 11 bottles and 1 can of alcoholic beverages.
Cash amounting to $13,588 was also seized during the arrests. The two were charged with possession of cigarettes, e-cigarette products, and alcoholic beverages without a valid permit, under Section 146(1)(d) of the Excise Duties Order 2006.
Mohamad Azri pleaded guilty to all 11 charges and was fined a total of $766,600. In default of payment, he will face 134 months of imprisonment.
Shazlin Shafie Shami admitted to two charges and was fined a total of $181,500. In default of payment, he will face 28 months of imprisonment.
The court also ordered the confiscation of the seized cigarettes, e-cigarette products, and alcoholic beverages.
The 34-year-old Mohamad Azri and 26-year-old Shazlin Shafie Shami appeared in the Bandar Seri Begawan Magistrate’s Court yesterday, presided over by Magistrate Shafina.
These offenses stemmed from five enforcement actions conducted at multiple locations between March 2021 and December 2022, including Kampong Mulaut, Sengkurong, Kampong Padang, Kampong Kurapis, and Kampong Parit Akar.
Four of the enforcement actions were carried out by officers from the Royal Customs and Excise Department, and the final arrest took place on December 24, 2022, by the Limau Manis branch of the Royal Brunei Police Force.
During the operations, authorities seized large quantities of contraband, including 722 cartons and 11 packs of various brands of cigarettes, 71 e-cigarette devices, and 11 bottles and 1 can of alcoholic beverages.
Cash amounting to $13,588 was also seized during the arrests. The two were charged with possession of cigarettes, e-cigarette products, and alcoholic beverages without a valid permit, under Section 146(1)(d) of the Excise Duties Order 2006.
Mohamad Azri pleaded guilty to all 11 charges and was fined a total of $766,600. In default of payment, he will face 134 months of imprisonment.
The court also ordered the confiscation of the seized cigarettes, e-cigarette products, and alcoholic beverages.