$34,700 fine for tobacco smuggler
By Malai FadleyRizal 

A 47-year-old local was imposed a hefty fine of $34,700 or 15 months imprisonment in default after pleading guilty to having failed to declare 82.2344 kilogrammes of tobacco in the Magistrates' Court yesterday. According to the statement of facts tendered in by DPP Hj Nabil Daraina Pehin Dato Hj Badaruddin, William Richard Doughty arrived at the Brunei International Airport by means of BI 108 from Calcutta via Singapore on the night of July 21.

He later reclaimed his luggage upon Immigration clearance and did not declare to the Customs officers on duty regarding the tobacco he had brought with him from India.

He left the inspection area and proceeded to the parking area near the arrival hall where he was approached by Pg Sufri Pg Hj Metussin, a Customs officer at the airport, asking William the contents of the 5 boxes.

A Notice of Seizure was issued after William admitted to Pg Sufri that the 5 boxes weighing 115.8 kilogrammes contained tobacco, which were later discovered to specifically contain 40, 658 packets of GOA 1000 Guthka and 181 cans of BHOLA BRAND ZAFRANI PATTI.

The tobacco was ordered to be destroyed by the relevant authorities.

Courtesy of Sunday Bulletin