72-year-old man oldest drug offender in Brunei

By Achong Tanjong

This was stated by Narcotics Officer Awg Sharum bin Hj Abu Bakar during a talk on drugs misuse for the employees of BAG Networks yesterday at BAG Networks' office.

According to statistics, the highest number of arrests was in the year 2002, that is, 713 people, of which the majority of the offenders - 629 - were men.

The oldest person to have ever been arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau for drugs misuse is a 72-year-old local man.

Awg Sharum also highlighted the number of arrests according to districts in 2005.

Topping the list is the Brunei-Muara district with 260 arrests, followed by Belait (86), Tutong (41) and Temburong (33).

The Narcotics Control Bureau was established on October 1, 1988, Awg Sharum disclosed, and carry the vision a "Drug-Free Nation". Its mission is to eradicate the market for illegal drugs in Brunei, while developing and creating an awareness on the dangers of drugs.

The Narcotics Officer then pointed out some of the drugs commonly consumed in Brunei - methyl amphetamine (syabu), heroin, ganja, codeine and more.

He also reminded his audience that methyl amphetamine (syabu) is categorised as a class A drug, and those found guilty of possessing 50 gm or more of the drug are liable to be sentenced to death by hanging.

The capital punishment also applies to those convicted of possessing 15 gm or more of another class A drug, heroin.

There was a question-and-answer session after the talk.