(Bandar Seri Begawan, 15th) — Two local men have been fined a total of over 281,000 Brunei dollars after admitting to multiple charges of illegally possessing e-cigarettes, e-liquids, cigarettes, and related items.
According to the Brunei Customs Department (JKED), the accused are 27-year-old Asnan W and 22-year-old Aymali.
The illegal activities were uncovered separately on July 23, 2024, at the Sungai Tujoh Checkpoint in Belait District and on November 12, 2024, at a residence in the Katim Lumba Immigration Area. The arrests were made by customs inspection officers at the Sungai Tujoh Checkpoint and JKED enforcement officials.
The two defendants were recently charged at the Bandar Magistrates’ Court under Section 146(1)(d) of the Excise Order 2026 for possessing e-cigarette products, e-cigarettes, e-liquids, cigarettes, and e-cigarette batteries without legal authorization. Both pleaded guilty.
The confiscated items include 317 e-cigarette products, e-cigarettes, and e-liquids from the first charge; 860 related items from the second charge; 1 e-cigarette device and 4 cigarettes from the third charge; and 2 e-cigarette batteries from the fourth charge.
For the first charge, Asnan W was fined 38,168 Brunei dollars, or 14 months imprisonment in default of payment. For the second charge, both defendants were each fined 118,650 Brunei dollars, with 20 months' imprisonment in default of payment.
Additionally, for the third charge, Asnan W was fined 5,000 Brunei dollars, or 5 months imprisonment if unpaid; for the fourth charge, he was fined 1,500 Brunei dollars, or 1 month imprisonment if unpaid.
Overall, Asnan W was fined a total of 163,318 Brunei dollars, facing 40 months imprisonment if unable to pay; Aymali was fined 118,650 Brunei dollars, facing 20 months imprisonment if unable to pay.
All e-cigarette products, e-cigarettes, e-liquids, and cigarettes involved have been ordered by the court to be confiscated and handed to the government for destruction. Enforcement agencies also seized 4,906 Brunei dollars in cash and a vehicle related to the case for further action.
The illegal activities were uncovered separately on July 23, 2024, at the Sungai Tujoh Checkpoint in Belait District and on November 12, 2024, at a residence in the Katim Lumba Immigration Area. The arrests were made by customs inspection officers at the Sungai Tujoh Checkpoint and JKED enforcement officials.
The two defendants were recently charged at the Bandar Magistrates’ Court under Section 146(1)(d) of the Excise Order 2026 for possessing e-cigarette products, e-cigarettes, e-liquids, cigarettes, and e-cigarette batteries without legal authorization. Both pleaded guilty.
The confiscated items include 317 e-cigarette products, e-cigarettes, and e-liquids from the first charge; 860 related items from the second charge; 1 e-cigarette device and 4 cigarettes from the third charge; and 2 e-cigarette batteries from the fourth charge.
For the first charge, Asnan W was fined 38,168 Brunei dollars, or 14 months imprisonment in default of payment. For the second charge, both defendants were each fined 118,650 Brunei dollars, with 20 months' imprisonment in default of payment.
Additionally, for the third charge, Asnan W was fined 5,000 Brunei dollars, or 5 months imprisonment if unpaid; for the fourth charge, he was fined 1,500 Brunei dollars, or 1 month imprisonment if unpaid.
Overall, Asnan W was fined a total of 163,318 Brunei dollars, facing 40 months imprisonment if unable to pay; Aymali was fined 118,650 Brunei dollars, facing 20 months imprisonment if unable to pay.
All e-cigarette products, e-cigarettes, e-liquids, and cigarettes involved have been ordered by the court to be confiscated and handed to the government for destruction. Enforcement agencies also seized 4,906 Brunei dollars in cash and a vehicle related to the case for further action.