A 24-year-old man in Brunei has been slapped with a hefty fine after being caught with hundreds of vape devices at a border checkpoint, highlighting how seriously authorities in the region are cracking down on unauthorized vape imports.
What Happened
Awangku Mohammad Azman Mat Jalani was fined BND67,000 by the Kuala Belait Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, September 3, after being found in possession of 468 vape devices of various types without valid authorisation.
The offence took place back on September 14, 2025, at around 4:30pm, at the Arrival Section of the Sungai Tujoh Control Post in Kuala Belait. He was apprehended by Customs Inspection Officers after the devices were discovered during inspection.
The Charge and Penalty
Azman was charged by an enforcement officer from the Royal Customs and Excise Department under Section 146(1)(d) of the Excise Order 2006, which covers possession of goods without valid authorisation.
Alongside the fine, the court imposed a default sentence of 16 months’ imprisonment should the fine not be paid, and ordered that all 468 seized vape devices be forfeited to the government for disposal.
Why This Matters
This case is a strong reminder that vape regulations vary drastically across countries and in places like Brunei, unauthorized possession or importation of vape devices, even in bulk for personal reasons, can carry serious financial and legal consequences. As more countries either tighten or restructure their vaping laws, cases like this highlight the growing enforcement focus on unregulated vape supply chains across the region.
Source: The Star (Malaysia), report credited to Borneo Bulletin/ANN.
