Bandar Seri Begawan - An Indonesian man named Parman was sentenced by the Magistrate's Court in the capital yesterday to a fine of B$15,500 or serve 15 months' jail in default of payment after pleading guilty to charges of possession of 18 cartons and 123 packets of cigarettes.

Customs Preventive officers were tipped off and raided the defendant's resting hut where he works as a cleaner at Pg Hj Damit Complex in Lambak Kanan. The 33-year-old defendant denied having possession of the cigarettes, but officers found cigarettes hidden behind a mirror at the hut during the inspection.

It then led to the discovery of more cigarettes in an empty shop lot.

This was a recurring incident as officers caught the defendant on July 15, September 12 and October 9, this year. DPP Sharon Yeo prosecuted the case.