Jobless Locals Top List Of Drug Arrests
By Azlan Othman

Bandar Seri Begawan - Unemployed locals, aged 31 and above, top the list of drug arrests for the fourth year running, statistics from the Narcotics Control Bureau revealed during a recent exhibition commemorating the World AIDS Day.

Brunei recorded 365 drug arrests up to October this year. Last year, a total of 609 arrests were made compared to 701 arrests in 2003, 713 (2002), 547 (2001) and 672 (2000).

Out of the 365, 302 were males and 63 females. Second only to the 31 and above age category were the 26 to 30year-olds followed by 21 to 25-year-olds-and 16 to-20year-olds with the 15 years and below suspects making up the smallest group of drug detainees.

Students made up the least number of people arrested for drugs for the fourth consecutive year whereby up to October this year, only four were involved.

Second only to the unemployed suspects were government servants, followed by those working in-the private sector and the self-employed.

A guideline book entitled "We Care" on the misuse of drugs at the workplace states that trafficking in heroin, morphine, opium and marijuana (Ganja) carries a maximum penalty of 30 years imprisonment and 15 strokes of rattan or death penalty.

Trafficking of Syabu between 20-50 grammes carries a maximum 30 years imprisonment and 15 strokes of rattan. Meanwhile, trafficking in more than 50 grammes of Syabu carries the death penalty.

Meanwhile possessing between 40g- 100 g of Syabu for the purpose of trafficking carries a maximum imprisonment of 30 years and 15 rattan strokes. The death penalty is provided for offenders caught in possession of more than 10 grammes.

Bringing in or out of Brunei Syabu carries a maximum sentence of 30years imprisonment and 15 strokes of rattan but if the case involves more than 50 grammes, it carries' the death penalty. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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