New Zealand teacher smuggles beer

New Zealand teacher smuggles beer

BRUNEI: A New Zealander who teaches English in Brunei was fined and risks being deported for smuggling 55 cans of beer into the oil-rich, conservative Muslim sultanate.

William Strickland, 54, was crossing the border by car from Malaysia and told customs officials that he was bringing the legal limit of 12 cans of beer and two bottles of hard liquor. A search of his car and luggage turned up the excess alcohol.

Magistrate Muhamad Faisal bin Pehin Haji Kefli gave Strickland a choice of spending a month in jail or paying a 400 Brunei dollars (US$236) fine. He chose the fine. Strickland's Toyota was confiscated.

Strickland was likely to lose his teaching permit and would be deported, officials said on condition of anonymity. --AP