'Be wary of African drug syndicates'

THE Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has warned the public to be cautious of African Criminal Groups (ACG) members who are responsible for the bulk of the international trafficking of illicit drugs, as they are slick, intelligent and elusive.

The ACG has already infiltrated the Asean region and their preferred methods of exporting and importing the drugs are through human couriers, mostly locals. At present, there is no typical single profile to the couriers recruited, although they are usually aged between 20 to 35 years, and most have minimal knowledge of the syndicate operations.

Brunei is not spared with four local Bruneians already serving sentences abroad for drug trafficking after falling prey to the syndicates. Brunei is still working on passing a legislation on the repatriation of convicted Bruneians abroad although other countries are already exercising this, said NCB Director Hj Abd Aziz Orang Kaya Maha Bijaya Hj Othman during a press conference at the bureau's headquarters in Tungku.

The main people behind the syndicates have remained largely elusive as they are knowledgeable about the law enforcement operating methods.

"They actively collect intelligence on customs, immigration and law enforcement tactics, techniques and procedures," said Pg Rodziah Pg Ahmad, a NCB senior officer, giving insight on the operations of the ACG who have been in operations for the past 17 years and are now expanding their international drug trade to heroin and cocaine.

The expansion of their "products" is followed by a move to cover a larger market from the Middle East to Asia as well as other continents such as Australia and South America. Due to the nature of their operations being made from outside the country, it is difficult to target and trace.

What makes these groups harder to target is the fact that they use indigenous and tribal language and their strict code/culture of not talking to anyone outside their group, said Pg Rodziah.

The worrying trend is that the ACG will continue to upgrade their own intelligence and adjust their routes and change entry points once their operations have been detected in a particular country.

"Increase in the number of low-cost carriers servicing routes from many parts of Asia may be used as an alternative due to the low-risk, less scrutiny as compared to those arriving at major hub," she said.

Information on trafficking techniques from other places are integrated and adopted elsewhere. This is made possible by assigning their own spies at each country to observe and research on the level of security of the particular country.

"(They) have evolved into a serious global threat through their ability to develop working relationships with other criminal groups within other criminal networks involved in various criminal activities," she said. Their motivation? The multi-million profits gained from the illegal trade by exploiting the people in the countries they are based to do the "dirty work".

NCB is stepping up its Preventive Drug Education (PDE) to educate and create more awareness on the dangers of drug abuse with an emphasis on international drug syndicates.

"We want to emphasise on the importance of knowing the syndicate's tactics that influence and trap the young adults into becoming drug mules through the Internet and attractive offers such as gifts and employment opportunities," said Osmawi Hj Osman, acting assistant director of PDE.

So far, the bureau through the PDE unit has delivered 200 lectures in schools nationwide (Primary 6, Secondary 1, 3 and 5 as well as higher institutions) with another 99 lectures to the public and private sector reaching an audience of 24, 473 people.

Discussions have also been made to incorporate a more detailed education about the dangers of drugs and international syndicates into the education curriculum. Religious schools will also be including PDE into their religious education by highlighting drugs as haram (forbidden).

Several companies have also joined forces with NCB by setting up their own committee to overcome problems related to drugs in the workplace and maintain close contact with the bureau. In addition, NCB has also been promoting its programmes through various roadshows.

Also present at the press conference was NCB Deputy Director Hj Jasmin Hj Jamudin and the Head Narcotics Officer II Hamzah Suhaili and Asulham Rane Mohd Ashrane, senior narcotics officer II.

The Brunei Times