Bruneian man fined for possessing smuggled cigarettes

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Magistrates' Court of Brunei ordered a local man to settle a fine of 51,000 Brunei dollars (38,977 U.S. dollars) for possessing smuggled cigarettes, local media reported on Tuesday.

According to the local daily Borneo Bulletin, the man was arrested during an operation conducted by the Royal Customs and Excise Department of Brunei. The personnel uncovered 49 cartons and 20 packets of various brands of cigarettes.

The man would have to serve 15 months in jail in default of payment of the fine, and all seized items were ordered to be forfeited to the state and destroyed, the Borneo Bulletin reported.

Brunei is an oil-rich country located in Southeast Asia. The laws in Brunei impose strict regulations on cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.