9 individuals, aged between 23 and 74, were apprehended by the Narcotics Control Bureau, NCB on suspicion of being involved in drug abuse and trafficking at separate locations in Belait District. The arrests were made during STARBURN Operation conducted on the 11th of December. Earlier on the 9th of December, NCB received three detainees from the Royal Brunei Police Force, RBPF one of whom was a suspect of the STARBURN Operation. During the operation, two types of controlled drugs were seized, namely 1 point 9-0 grammes of Syabu, and 6 point 0-9 grammes of Ketamine, as well as several drug paraphernalia. Meanwhile, a person was detained at the Sungai Tujoh Customs Control Post in Belait District for smuggling drugs into the country. The person will be investigated under Section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, Chapter 27 for importation of controlled drugs into the country.

Two detainees of the STARBURN Operation were brought to court for previous cases under Section 6(b) of the Misuse of Drugs Act, Chapter 27 for consuming controlled drugs. Both were sentenced to three years and three months imprisonment, and three years and six months imprisonment respectively.

The STARBURN Operation was part of NCB's continuous efforts to eradicate drug abuse and drug trafficking at government building areas that were misused as drug crime hotspots in Belait District.

Through the STARBURN Operation, NCB collaborated with six agencies, including the RBPF and Royal Customs and Excise Department, to conduct joint operations by further tightening inspections at the country's entry point at the Sungai Tujoh Control Post, organising two road blocks at STKRJ Kampung Mumong, Jalan Dipa Negara and Belait River. The NCB expresses appreciation towards the involved agencies and the public for the continued cooperation as well as assistance that contributed to the success of the operation.