Hotel Raids, Road Blocks And Liquor Seized In New Year Fest
By Azlan Othman

Bandar Seri Begawan - While the New Year revellers enjoyed their end of the year blast with music, songs and fine dining at many of the posh hotels, the country's law enforcers were busy all night long and in the wee hours of the morning dealing with some errant folk and sundry offenders.

Several suspects who allegedly fell foul with the law were apprehended while some were questioned and released during the New Year's Eve operation.

Enforcement officers were compelled to suspend at some disco dances at a number of hotels for various reasons. Roadblocks were conducted along major highways throughout the country. A number of locals and a permanent Resident were detained for allegedly smuggling alcohol, eggs, chicken and cigarettes during a joint operation codenamed "OPS SEPADU DPJ14."

This operation was carried out from 8pm (31st December 31 to 2.30 am on January 1 at Mukim Sengkurong and Mukim Pengkalan Batu involving 68 Royal Brunei Police Force members from Jerudong Police District, Sengkurong Police Station and Limau Manis Police Station headed. Assistant Officer in Command of the Jerudong Police District (OCPD), DSP Mohd Hassan Pehin Ahmad headed the raids.

Eighteen officials from the Royal Custom and Excise Department led by the Head of Preventive Unit and 21 officials from the Religious Enforcement Unit of the Syariah Affairs Department led by the Head of the General Criminal Section were also involved in the operation.

At two hotels and at a public attraction in Jerudong area, the enforcement officers received information on disco dancing and sale of alcohol.

The Disco at one of the hotels was stopped with the cooperation of the hotel staff. The decision was made in view of an earlier advisory from the Ministry of Home Affairs based on a reference letter (37) in 26/1359 dated December 30, informed sources said.

At another location where a party was in full swing, no dancing activity was found though loud music was being played and disco lights sparkled. Revellers slowly dispersed when the law enforces came in to investigate.

During the spot checks at these hotels and public attractions, no alcohol or sale of alcohol was detected though the officers said they got the smell alcohol in the premises.

The roadblocks were done in two stages. The first phase concentrated at Kg. Kuala Lurah and Kg. Bebuluh and commenced from 8.30pm and lasted till 11pm while the second phase concentrated along Jalan Jerudong and near Spg 265 and Km 13 of Jalan Tutong in Kg. Kilanas. This lasted from 11pm till 1.30 am.

The joint operation the Jerudong Police District conducted was the 14 of its kind in the year 2002 and made with the cooperation of other enforcement agencies. The operation was a step taken to enhance criminal prevention while ushering the new year 2003 official sources said.

In the operation, a number of traffic violations were detected, among them failure to display road tax, faulty headlights and other offences.

Officials from the Customs and Excise Department detained a Permanent Resident, believed to have allegedly smuggled alcohol, chicken meat, egg and cigarettes with no Brunei health warning. Further investigation is being carried out.

The officers also confiscated 13 cans of Beer as the owner failed to show a valid declaring document. Officials from the Religious Enforcement Unit detained four Bruneians who were allegedly under the influence of liquor. Further investigation will be carried out at the Syariah office, sources said.

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