Bandar Seri Begawan - A local man was ordered to pay $1,000 a month to settle his $13,000 fine or serve eight months' imprisonment in default for the possession of 44 cartons and two packets of cigarettes, which he failed to declare.

Senior Magistrate Muhammed Faisal PD Hj Kefli also ordered the vehicle used in the commission of the offence be forfeited to the state and released Mohammad Firdaus bin Harinawati on bail of $13,000 or two local sureties.

The defendant arrived at the Kuala Lurah Control Post and only informed customs officers that he had brought noodles and two cartons of cigarettes.

An inspection revealed the bootleg hidden in the vehicle used by the defendant, which belongs to his brother-in-law.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin