The Narcotics Control Bureau, Brunei Darussalam, arrested 17 suspects on December 19 and 22 during raids in Kampong Mumong, Kuala Belait. Codenamed Operasi ‘Sai-Gone,’ NCB raided the area and confiscated 273.91g syabu (methylamphetamine), 12.07g marijuana, and BND2,088 and MYR2,744 cash. The seized syabu is valued at more than BND50,000 and can be consumed by an estimated 2,730 drug addicts.
Operasi ‘Sai-Gone’
NCB has rounded up a total of 11 male and 6 female suspects in Operasi ‘Sai-Gone.’ Suspecting active drug trafficking, the law enforcers raided several locations in the Belait District, including Kampong Mumong and Kampong Panaga.
As per the officials, the primary suspect is a 49-year-old local man who has served jail for an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) Chapter 27 in the past. He was released in 2020 after serving the designated jail time; however, he is suspected of having resumed the illegal activity soon after.
A crackdown against drug syndicates
The Narcotics Control Bureau has been long-running a crackdown on drug syndicates and peddlers in Brunei. Operasi ‘Sai-Gone’ was the most recent operation in a slew of NCB’s drug hauls following ‘Bulls Eye,’ ‘Black Widow,’ ‘Ice Sibling,’ and ‘Pirates,’ all aimed at tightening the noose around syabu drug suppliers.
The course of law
Syabu, a solidified form of powdered methylamphetamine, is popularly known by other slangs: Ice, Meth, Crystal, White Sugar, Glass, Crank, Rock, or Shabu. Despite its highly addictive nature and devastating impact on the physical and mental health of addicts, syabu has become the most widely used controlled drug in Brunei Darussalam. The Sultanate categorises Syabu as a Class A drug, and its trafficking, trade, and possession in substantial quantities attract a death penalty.