By Nour Maghfirah
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, OCT 16 – The Magistrate’s Court yesterday sentenced a 30-year-old local man to a fine of $281,500 after he pleaded guilty to smuggling large quantities of cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.
Mohammad Kaerol Sharol bin Abdullah will have to serve 36 months in prison if he fails to pay the fine.
The case stemmed from an incident on January 25, at the Sungai Tujoh Checkpoint in Kuala Belait, where customs officers arrested the defendant. In the inspection, 335 cartons of various brands of cigarettes and 720 cartons of various types of alcoholic beverages were found.
Mohammad Kaerol was charged under Section 146(1)(d) of the Excise Order 2006. He pleaded guilty to both charges.
Acting Senior Magistrate Dewi Norlelawati binti Haji Abdul Hamid ordered the cigarettes and alcoholic beverages to be destroyed, while the vehicle used in the smuggling operation was seized.
