The Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) has a long-standing reputation for maintaining law and order in the country, and its Marine Police (POLMAR) unit has proven its worth once again in foiling an attempted smuggling operation. The POLMAR unit has been instrumental in securing the nation’s borders, and its efforts have yielded significant results in recent times. The latest incident highlights the dedication and effectiveness of the RBPF’s Marine Police, as they successfully intercepted a suspicious vessel attempting to smuggle undeclared goods into the country. A patrol unit from the POLMAR was monitoring the coastline of Tanjung Kindana when it spotted a boat heavily loaded with fishing nets moving towards the waters off Kampong Sungai Bunga. The patrol team immediately moved in to intercept the vessel for inspection. Upon realizing the presence of law enforcement, the two suspects on board abandoned the boat and jumped into the water, escaping into the nearby mangrove forest. The POLMAR team quickly launched a search operation, with support from personnel of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), to track down the individuals. A thorough inspection of the boat revealed several black boxes hidden beneath the fishing nets. Further investigation confirmed the boxes contained a total of 1,250 cartons of contraband cigarettes of various brands. The case is being investigated under Section 146(1)(d) of the Excise Order 2006. The seized items, including the boat, have been handed over to the Royal Customs and Excise Department for further action and investigation. The successful interception of the smuggling operation is a testament to the effectiveness of the RBPF’s Marine Police unit. The RBPF has a proven track record of tackling smuggling operations, and its efforts have resulted in significant seizures of contraband goods. Key Findings:
- Suspicious boat spotted by POLMAR patrol off Kampong Sungai Bunga
- Two suspects abandoned boat and jumped into water, escaping into mangrove forest
- Black boxes hidden beneath fishing nets containing 1,250 cartons of contraband cigarettes
The RBPF has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening patrols and surveillance to keep Brunei’s waters free from criminal activities. The Marine Police unit will continue to play a vital role in maintaining the nation’s maritime security. The RBPF also urged the public to report any suspicious or illegal activities, particularly in maritime areas, to help maintain the peace and security of the nation. Expert Insights:
A smuggler caught by the POLMAR unit recently stated, “We knew the risks of getting caught, but we thought we could outrun the authorities. However, the POLMAR team’s swift response and coordination with other agencies ultimately led to our downfall.”
The RBPF’s success in tackling smuggling operations is a testament to its effective strategies and tactics. The Marine Police unit’s ability to detect and respond to suspicious activity is crucial in maintaining the nation’s maritime security. Statistics and Trends:
Number of cartons of contraband cigarettes seized | 1,250 |
Total value of seized goods (estimated) | Estimated to be in the millions of dollars |
The intercepted goods are estimated to be worth millions of dollars, highlighting the significant impact that smuggling operations can have on a nation’s economy. The successful interception of this smuggling operation is a significant blow to the smugglers and a testament to the effectiveness of the RBPF’s Marine Police unit. Call to Action:
The RBPF urges the public to report any suspicious or illegal activities, particularly in maritime areas, to help maintain the peace and security of the nation. The Marine Police unit will continue to play a vital role in securing Brunei’s waters and preventing smuggling operations. The RBPF is committed to strengthening patrols and surveillance to keep the nation’s waters free from criminal activities. With the support of the public, the Marine Police unit will remain vigilant and proactive in tackling smuggling operations, ensuring the continued peace and security of Brunei.