BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bulletin/ANN): The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) conducted ‘Operasi Loyal’ in the first week of July, targeting a family drug syndicate that carried out drug trafficking activities in Kampong Setia ‘A’ and residents suspected of being involved.
Raids on several houses led to the arrest of 12 local citizens aged between 30 and 51, including two women.
To date, Operasi Loyal has confiscated 32.31 grammes of syabu, BND14,732 and US$7 cash, and also jewellery items.
The case will be investigated under Section 3A, Chapter 27 of the Misuse of Drugs Act for the offence of possessing controlled drugs for trafficking.
If convicted, a minimum sentence of five years imprisonment and five lashes and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and 15 lashes will be imposed.
Members of the two families arrested during the operation were found to be unemployed but had a modest lifestyle. Further investigations showed that the family had carried out money laundering activities to clean up the proceeds from drug trafficking activities.
They will be investigated under Section 3 of the Criminal Assets Recovery Order 2012 which is money laundering offences.
The Bureau expressed its gratitude to the ministries and intelligence and security enforcement agencies involved for the assistance and cooperation. - Borneo Bulletin/ANN