Brunei Darussalam observed the International Day against...

Brunei Darussalam observed the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Director Momin Sawal said that the consumption and trafficking of drugs by Brunei natives and permanent residents was on the increase. "For example, the number of arrests made ten years ago was 286, then in 1994 it was 508, in 1997 it was 510 and last year it was 588," said Momin. He said methyl amphetamine, better known as "Syabu" or "Ice" is widely preferred by the drug addicts. "In 1999, 1.2 kilos were confiscated," he said. "Some fellow Bruneians are facing the death penalty."