Bandar Seri Begawan: More than 40,000 grams of syabu were seized last year, marking a significant increase of 811 percent from more than 4,000 grams in 2023, based on statistics from the Narcotics Control Bureau, NCB. For the purpose of local distribution, more than 3,000 grams of syabu, valued at over $400,000, were confiscated.
According to Radio Television Brunei, syabu was the most frequently seized drug last year, with other drugs such as Erimin 5, Ecstasy, Cannabis, Ketum Liquid, and Ketamine also being confiscated. Additionally, the number of arrests related to drug abuse activities rose from 711 people in 2023 to 777 last year, comprising 641 men and 136 women. Among these, 320 were new arrests while 457 were repeat offenders.
The majority of the arrests were locals, numbering 645, compared to 617 the previous year. Arrests also included 76 foreigners, 54 permanent residents, and 2 stateless individuals. The Malay ethnicity was the most affected, followed by Iban, Chinese, and other races.
Unemployed individuals made up the largest group of those arrested for drug abuse, totaling 393. Arrests also included 186 employed in the private sector, 166 self-employed individuals, 25 civil servants, and 7 students. Youth aged between 30 and 39 represented the highest number of arrests, with 261 individuals, followed by 13 arrests in the youth category aged 15 to 19 and 2 arrests involving those aged 14 and below.