Brunei's Local News - Brudirect.com

Bandar Seri Begawan - A 21-year-old Malaysian who attempted to smuggle more than 200 litres of diesel out of the country was slapped with a $12,000 fine by the Bandar Seri Begawan Magistrate's Court yesterday.

Lau Lik Won, an aluminium maker from Sibu, pleaded guilty to smuggling 230 litres of diesel, which was stored in a modified tank undemeath the vehicle he was driving.

The court was told that he had bought the fuel from two filling stations in Kuala Belait and Sungai Teraban for $40.

He was arrested by officers from the Customs Enforcement and Intelligence Section from Bandar Seri Begawan on April 18, 2008.

The seized goods and the defendant's vehicle were forfeited to the state.

Meanwhile, another Malaysian was also slapped with a $2,500 fine for a similar offence. Kong Kim Sin, a 57-year-old unemployed man, had concealed diesel in a plastic container and a biscuit tin at the rear bonnet of the car he was driving. He paid the fine.

The car was returned to the defendant, while the seized goods were forfeited to the state. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin