The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) recently carried out a major drug bust where six individuals were arrested in connection with an attempt to smuggle over BND430,000 worth of syabu and marijuana into the country.
The six individuals were aged 21 to 31, said the NCB.
A 52-year old man was also detained, believed to be one of the suspects’ father and involved in the misuse of drugs.
According to the NCB, a 23-year-old local man was detained by the Royal Customs and Excise Department at the Sungai Tujoh Control Post after his vehicle was found to be carrying 2,038.59 grammes of syabu worth BND390,000 and 3.071.2 grammes of marijuana worth BND45,000.
Further investigation by the NCB led to detaining the six individuals, believed to be drug traffickers working with the suspected smuggler.
A raid carried out by the NCB on November 16 and 17 led to seizures of 261.14 grammes of marijuana, 68 pills of Erimin 5, a marijuana plant, two mobile phones and digital weight believed to be used to measure drugs. Some BND809 in cash was also seized.
The alleged smuggler is being probed under the Misuse of Drugs Act for bringing controlled drugs into the country and if found guilty, will face the death penalty.
Another suspect is being investigated under the Misuse of Drugs Act for the possession of controlled drugs for trafficking and if found guilty, will face imprisonment of five to 20 years and five to 15 whippings.
The NCB investigation also uncovered that the mastermind behind the operation is a 24-year-old local, who is currently abroad.
He is known to instruct people to carry out drug trafficking activities in the Sultanate, said the NCB in a statement. – James Kon
