Imam Held In Massive Counterfeit Dollar Haul
By Rol Ezam

Bandar Seri Begawan - Two suspects, one of them a religious figure, faced charges linked to trafficking of over half a million dollars worth in counterfeit Brunei currency notes.

The two, Sofri Dahali, a 36-year-old permanent resident, and Haji Sarbini bin Pehin Udana Khatib Hj Junit, a 53-year-old imam (prayer leader or preacher), were arrested by the police three days ago and produced in court yesterday.

The counterfeit notes seized amounted to a whopping B$542,350, considered to be one of the largest ever counterfeit notes seized in the country in recent times.

Both suspects were arrested in two different places. The first, Sofri Dahali, was caught near a filling station in Kampong Kapok while the second man Haji Sarbini was detained in Gadong, three days ago.

They were produced in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday before the case was remitted to the High Court.

No plea has been taken by both suspects in the Magistrate’s Court.

Sofri was charged with trafficking counterfeit currency notes amounting to B$542,350 in 775 pieces of $500 notes, 1,133 pieces of $100 notes and 831 pieces of $50 notes.

He also faced an alternative charge for possessing the counterfeit currency notes while inside a car bearing registration BT 920 near a filling station in Kampong Kapok and intending to use the same may be as genuine.

Meanwhile, the imam was charged for abetting the commission of the offence of trafficking the currency notes by the first suspect. The offence was committed in consequence of his abetment, the charge sheet stated.

The case was remitted to the High Court soon after it was heard in the Magistrate’s Court for bail application.

However, the High Court Judge Dato Paduka Steven Chong dismissed the bail application for both suspects.

Mr. Sheikh Noordin represented the imam.

Standing in on behalf of the Public Prosecutor DPP Yusree Hj Junaidi, who was assisted by Shamsuddin Hj Kamaluddin, informed the judge that the police are still investigating the case as the suspects were only caught three days ago.

In the High Court, Mr Sheikh Noordin in his submission told the judge that Haji Sarbini was previously working as a teacher and later transferred to another department before becoming an imam.

He said the imam would cooperate with the police in conducting investigations and so far he has given his full cooperation since his arrest three days ago.

In the DPP’s submission, he said the police only arrested them few days ago and need to conduct further investigation and if both were released on bail, there is a likelihood of evidence being tampered with.

The DPP added that from the statements given by the defendants, being confession in nature, there are foreign suppliers involved in this case. The police are also going abroad to investigate, said the DPP.

Sofri Dahali will be remanded at the Berakas Police Station while the imam will be remanded at the Muara Police station.

Both will appear in the High Court again on October 22 for bail hearing. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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