BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Two local women were detained by Royal Customs and Excise Department (JKED) officers after more than 4.25kg of suspected controlled drugs were uncovered at the Sungai Tujoh Control Post on Sept 9.
The suspects, aged 27 and 22, were detained during a routine inspection by JKED personnel stationed at the control post.
An inspection of their vehicle uncovered several packages declared as car spare parts and souvenirs.
Further checks found the packages also contained dried plant substances suspected to be controlled drugs.
The seized items were handed over to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for examination, which subsequently confirmed the material as a controlled drug weighing 4,254.32g.
In a separate incident at the Kuala Lurah Control Post, JKED officers conducting a thorough inspection of a Brunei-registered vehicle discovered several undeclared black plastic bags.
The bags were found to contain 360 cans of beer, 12 bottles of whisky, eight bottles of vodka and 200 packets of cigarettes of various brands.
A 37-year-old man and 26-year-old woman, both Brunei citizens, were detained and the vehicle was seized.
The case has been handed over to the JKED Law Enforcement Division for investigation and further action.
Through its Branches and Control Posts Division, JKED said it remains committed to conducting inspections at all control posts to ensure compliance with customs laws and regulations and prevent the entry of prohibited or controlled goods.
The department reminded the public that attempts to smuggle contraband or restricted goods into or out of the country are serious offences that may result in legal action.
Members of the public are urged to comply with national laws and regulations and cooperate with authorities in efforts to curb smuggling activities. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN
