NCB arrests 18 and seizes 877 g of cannabis in Operation Mary Jane
Brunei's Narcotics Control Bureau detained 18 people aged 18 to 53 in a two-week series of raids on residences across Brunei-Muara District targeting a cannabis distribution syndicate. Officers seized 877.42 g of cannabis plus cannabis edibles, ecstasy pills, cash, cars and paraphernalia.
🇧🇳 Residences in Kampong Mata-Mata, Lambak Kiri, Panchor Mengkubau, Tanah Jambu, Rimba, Sungai Besar and Mentiri, Brunei-Muara District · Brunei
Brunei’s Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) detained 18 people aged between 18
and 53 in a string of operations codenamed Mary Jane against marijuana
dealing syndicates.[1]Raids were carried out over two
weeks at residences in Kampong Mata-Mata, Kampong Lambak Kiri, Kampong Panchor
Mengkubau, Kampong Tanah Jambu, Kampong Rimba, Kampong Sungai Besar and
Kampong Mentiri in Brunei-Muara District.[1]
The NCB said the syndicate was distributing cannabis and targeting young
users.[1]Officers seized877.42 g of cannabis and 7.13 g of cannabis
edibles, along with 14 ecstasy pills, BND8,634 in cash, drug paraphernalia,
digital weighing scales, three cars and mobile phones.[1]Contraband
cigarettes and alcohol found during the operation were handed to customs for
investigation.[1]
All those arrested were under investigation under the Misuse of Drugs Act for
possession for distribution, possession, consumption and related offences, and
for money laundering.[1]
Photos and video
Apprehended persons in Operation Mary Jane. Photo: Borneo Bulletin via helobnPhoto details
A man arrested in January 2016 with 756.33 g of cannabis had faced a trafficking charge that carried the death penalty. In June 2026 prosecutors replaced it with two charges of possession for trafficking, covering 200 g of cannabis and 84.17 g of cannabis mixture, and he pleaded guilty.
Five Bruneian men aged 22 to 38 were arrested for carrying 68 kg of cannabis to Europe through third countries, earning about B$21,000. They used modified luggage, and the case showed Brunei acting as a courier source rather than only a consumer market. The arrests were an enforcement action, not a change in the law.
Brunei recorded 777 drug arrests in 2024, up from 711 in 2023; 641 were men, 136 women, and 645 were locals. Methamphetamine seizures rose above 40 kg, while UNODC recorded 2.6 kg of herbal cannabis seized against 6.3 kg in 2023. No cannabis-specific arrest count was published.
Police arrested 27 people in Operasi Ursa Heal in Tutong on 16 and 19 June 2024, seizing 75.29 g of syabu and 37.21 g of cannabis. The operation was one of the year's street-level enforcement actions and did not change the law.
