| By Azaraimy HH &
James Kon
The two Thai women who were caught in suspicious circumstances
with men during the raid. Pic: Lyna Mohammed
Eleven men and two Thai women were
rounded up during the first major joint effort between five of
the Sultanate's law enforcement agencies, called "Ops
Bersapadu Bahagia" held late Tuesday evening. They were
brought in on suspicion of immigration offences, with two
Customs violations.
After further screening later
in the morning, all the 11 men were released after proper
documents were produced while one of the women was issued a
special pass and told to report back. The other, who had changed
her name with her new passport, is still being remanded at the
Bandar Police station as she had been previously been charged
and listed as a prohibited immigrant.
The two women were suspected to
be soliciting, as they were found in compromising poses with
men.
The other two men were brought
in by Customs Preventive officers for having in their possession
alcohol without a valid permit, an offence that violates the
Customs Act. The operation was headed by the Royal Brunei Police
Force alongside the other agencies, the Customs and Excise
Department, Immigration Department, Labour Department and the
Religious Enforcement Unit from the Syariah Department.
A total of 87 personnel from
the five agencies were involved in the operation, which was
divided into two phases. Phase one involved roadblocks conducted
for several hours in areas such as Kampung Junjungan, Kampung
Kuala Lurah and Kampong Bebuluh.
Various places such as the
Mukim Pangkalan Batu, especially in areas like Kampong Batong,
Kampong Pancor Murai, Kampong Junjungan, Kampong Limau Manis and
Kampong Bebuluh, were the main target of the operation where it
was believed that these places may house various vice
activities.
The Labour Department said
certain employers involved will be asked to come forward due to
livid conditions of the overall living quarters of their
workers.
|
