Bandar Seri Begawan: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has uncovered the involvement of five locals, aged 22 to 38, in drug smuggling activities masterminded by an international drug syndicate. They were arrested at separate locations in the last week of May 2025. NCB’s investigation found that all those arrested had been recruited by an international drug syndicate based in a neighbouring country to send drug supplies to the destination country through smuggling.
According to Radio Television Brunei, four of those arrested had successfully smuggled drugs into several countries in Europe via third countries. The drugs were then handed over to syndicate members who were assigned to wait at several designated locations, and the drug delivery was made according to tactics commonly used by international drug trafficking syndicates.
One of them only recruited local citizens to participate in the activities but received a commission after the smuggling to the destination country was carried out successfully. The results of their activities are known to have achieved financial rewards estimated at $21,000 in total. The estimated amount of drugs successfully smuggled through the third country was sixty-eight kilogrammes of Cannabis, with an estimated value of more than one million dollars in the destination country.
The syndicate’s modus operandi involves recruiting local citizens to obtain drug supplies hidden in special luggage to be smuggled from neighbouring countries to other countries in the European continent, with the promise of a lucrative payment. All shipping costs, such as accommodation, flight tickets, and transportation, are fully covered by the syndicate. Aside from that, they are also encouraged to recruit other individuals to participate to ensure that drug smuggling activities can be carried out continuously.
The involvement of local citizens in serious crimes abroad is alarming. On this occasion, NCB would like to remind the public not to be deceived by the tricks of criminals who offer easy and lucrative income. All parties must remain vigilant when accepting job offers with suspicious rewards, as they may lead to legal offences abroad, imprisonment, and endanger their own safety. The involvement in criminal activities, knowingly or unknowingly, is not an acceptable excuse for self-defence.
The NCB also expresses its appreciation to local and overseas intelligence and security enforcement agencies for the assistance and cooperation provided towards the success of this operation.