Customs get their man in dawn ambush
By Abdul Rahim Hj Ismail

The vehicle full of chicken wings and beef that were confiscated by Customs.

Brunei Customs yesterday finally got their man, a long-time smuggler who has given them the slip many times, when they arrested a man and confiscated 552 kg of chicken wings and 33.5 kg of beef smuggled into the country. The 26-year-old local was arrested along with a passenger in the Kg Salar Industrial area in a raid by 11 enforcement officers from Customs and Excise Department at 5.30am.

Customs sources said it took them five days to track down the suspect's smuggling activities, including the use of a boat to survey Brunei waters believed to be the main smuggling route. The Bulletin was also informed that the suspect's smuggling activities have been under watch for a long time. Apart from clandestine activities in Jln Muara, the man has been traced to smuggle illegal goods through Jln Junjongan.

However, he eluded arrest several times by leaving behind the vehicle and the smuggled goods in past raids. According to a Customs spokesman, following a tip-off, officers conducted surveillance at the identified location since 11pm Monday night.

The suspect only showed up around 5.30am driving a van later found loaded with 53 plastic bags of chicken wings. Customs officers used three vehicles to give chase when the suspect sped up to escape but his car hit an advertisement board and was apprehended.

On examination, it was found that the goods have been smuggled into the country using a vehicle with expired road tax. The man was charged in court yesterday for an offence in smuggling chicken wings and beef. His trial will recommence this Thursday, said the Customs Department.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin