Bandar Seri Begawan - The Royal Customs and Excise Department yesterday confiscated 433 cartons of smuggled cigarettes, the largest seizure so far this year, after raiding a house in the National Housing Scheme in Rimba, Gadong around midnight yesterday.

The cigarettes, which come without any warning label from the Brunei Government, are believed to be meant for the local market and were estimated to be worth thousands of dollars.

The finding of the massive haul of smuggled cigarettes came following a surveillance conducted by officers from the Enforcement Operation branch of the Royal Customs and Excise Department.

In addition to the cigarettes, four bottles of alcohol were also found.

The operation, which involved seven enforcement officers, detained a local youth aged 23 for further investigation. He will be charged under the Excise Order 2006.

The officer tried to capture another suspect believed to be the supplier, but he fled the scene in his car.

The Royal Customs and Excise Department has reminded the public to provide any information on any smuggling activities or sale of contraband through their hotline 8714422 and 2383422.