DRUG BUST IN KG AYER

Over 100 drug-related arrests have been made in the first three
months of the year and there is no let-up as the Narcotics Control
Bureau is on overdrive to rid the country of drug abusers and pushers.

The number of arrests also reveals the dark side of the society, in
which the unemployed youth seem prone to drug abuse activities.

The latest NCB operation over the weekend was focused on the water
village and surrounding areas in the capital. The target known as a
"Black Area" was raided as officials came to know of many drug
activities including abusers and traffickers.

According to a press release, Operasi Sapu involved 66 personnel from
the Enforcement and Intelligence Division, who held the operation
from 8am to 7pm.

The raid led to the arrest of 17 people for committing various
offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act, Chapter 27.

Among those detained were 14 locals, a permanent resident, a Thai and
a Malaysian aged between 18 and 48 years, all reported jobless.
Thirteen of them are men and the rest women.

During the raid, the bureau also confiscated several packets of drugs
believed to be Syabu and utensils used for the purpose of consuming
drugs.

The raid was aimed at apprehending people who have previously been
booked by the bureau but failed to report to the NCB (under bond).
The NCB said houses that were targeted were believed to be a nest for
drug abusers and traffickers.

Some suspected individuals, who have had previous records of drug
abuse, using the jetty, bridge and walkway in the areas that were
targeted have also been noted and action will be taken should their
urine tests turn out positive for drugs.

The raid was also meant to collect intelligence on the drug network
from the detained drug offenders. The bureau said it will
continuously monitor the water village and its surrounding areas to
ensure they are safe from any misuse of drugs activities.

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act Chapter 27 in Brunei Darussalam, anyone
found in his/her possession more than 50 grammes Methylamphetamine or
popularly known as Syabu is liable to the death penalty.

The public is welcome to provide information related to misuse of
drugs by calling 244887 during office hours or 8777444 after office
hours.