Brunei's Local News - Brudirect.com

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Royal Customs and Excise Department recorded a total of 350 smuggling cases under the Customs Act 2006 in the period of January until July 2008.

The breakdowns of the figures are 47 cases in January, 46 in February, 50 in March, 54 in April and 44 in May. The highest number of cases was 59 in June, while in July there were 50 cases.

The crackdown on the smuggling of contraband was mainly carried out by officers of the Intelligence and Enforcement Section of the Royal Customs and Excise Department, while other cases were reported by enforcement agencies like the Royal Brunei Police Force and the Immigration's enforcement section.

Out of the total figure, around 42 per cent or 145 cases involved the smuggling of alcoholic drinks into the country.

While the second highest case consisted of the smuggling of subsidised fuel. The Royal Customs and Excise Department recorded 91 such cases in the first seven months of the year.

Other smuggling cases involved items such as satellite disc, cigarettes, rice, mobile phones and dubious meat.

The Royal Customs and Excise Department conveyed its thanks to the public for the tip-offs and urged anyone who has information on smuggling activities to contact the hotline 2382422 or SMS to 8714422. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin