BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has arrested nine individuals aged between 23 and 74 during a multi-agency crackdown on drug abuse and trafficking hotspots in the Belait District.
The arrests were made on Dec 11 under Operation Starburn, which targeted separate locations suspected of drug-related activities. Earlier, on Dec 9, NCB also received three suspects from the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF), one of whom was linked to the operation.
NCB seized two types of controlled drugs – 1.90 grammes of syabu and 6.09 grammes of ketamine – along with drug paraphernalia during the operation.
In a separate case, one suspect was detained at the Sungai Tujoh Control Post for allegedly smuggling drugs into the country and will be investigated under Section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, Chapter 27, for importing controlled drugs into Brunei Darussalam.
One suspect was detained at the Sungai Tujoh Control Post for allegedly smuggling drugs into the country.
Meanwhile, two individuals arrested under the operation were brought before the court for previous offences under Section 6(b) of the Misuse of Drugs Act, involving drug consumption. They were sentenced to three years and three months’ imprisonment, and three years and six months’ imprisonment, respectively.
Some of the drugs seized as evidence.
NCB said Operation Starburn forms part of its ongoing efforts to eradicate drug abuse and distribution, particularly in government barracks areas that have been misused as drug crime hotspots in the Belait District.
The operation involved cooperation with six agencies, including the RBPF and the Royal Customs and Excise Department. Measures included tightened inspections at the Sungai Tujoh entry point, roadblocks at Skim Tanah Kurnia Rakyat Jati (STKRJ) Kampong Mumong, Jalan Dipa Negara, as well as checks along the Belait River. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
