James Kon
Six locals – four men and two women aged between 21 and 48 – were detained by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in its latest operation codenamed ‘Operation Jackal’ targetting a major drug dealer in the Brunei-Muara District.
The March 1 to 19 operation targetted four locations, according to the NCB.
The bureau said the detainees operated in different roles under a central mastermind.
The NCB added that the mastermind used a third party to smuggle drugs into the Sultanate, store the drug supplies as well as proceeds from the distribution. The tactic aimed to confuse the authorities and evade detection.
One detainee, a hardcore drug trafficker, has served a 21-year prison term, and was not deterred from drug trafficking.
The bureau said drugs were discovered in a biscuit tin hidden in the jungle near a detainee’s house in Kampong Buang Sakar, Mukim Lumapas.
Operation Jackal unearthed 1.078 kilogrammes of syabu and 82.63 grammes of marijuana.
The confiscated syabu is estimated to be worth over BND200,000 and could supply 10,748 addicts.
Also seized were BND19,032, SGD67 and MYR1,228 believed to be proceeds from drug trafficking as well as 94 grammes of jewellery.
The operation success was following the exchange of intelligence and cooperation between NCB and neighbouring counterpart agencies, as the mastermind is also linked to a drug bust at the Brunei-Malaysia border which went viral on social media recently.
The mastermind, a local, has a network of drug traffickers and conspired with syndicates carrying out illegal activities including online gambling and smuggling of contraband.
The department is seeking public cooperation in tracking down Mohammad Mahadi bin Haji Suhaili (NCB, pic above) with identication card number 00-269934.
