LIMBANG: The attempt by two Bruneians to flee by boat led to their arrest instead when police uncovered their drug-trafficking activities on Wednesday.

The duo aged 23 and 33 from Kampung Menunggul Brunei were detained at 4.30pm in Ops Pensura/Bersepadu involving Limbang Marine police and Narcotics IPD Limbang.

Limbang District police chief Superintendent Mohd Bukhori Saffai said the two suspects who were in Limbang’s waters became aware of police presence at 4pm and managed to escape in a red-and-white fibre boat to waters near Limbang town.

“However, the duo who were acting suspiciously were arrested at 4.30pm,” he said yesterday.

He said police seized 1.02 grams of syabu worth RM100 from the 33-year-old suspect who also tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine.

“During the operation police also confiscated the two boats worth RM21,000 in total,” he said.

Initial investigation showed that the duo were believed to be actively trafficking drugs in Limbang and Brunei using riverine transportation as their modus operandi.

The case is being investigated under Section 12 (2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act (DDA) 1952 and Section 15 (1) (a) of the same Act.

Meanwhile, in a separate case, a man sustained injuries at the back of his head, left eye and right leg when he fell during an alleged scuffle with police personnel on Thursday afternoon.

Mohd Bukhori said a scuffle ensued when several narcotics police personnel tried to arrest the suspect, 33 from Kampung Sungai Bangkita who attempted to escape in Batu Biah surau area at 3.40pm.

“As a result, the suspect received four stitches on the head and was in pain, before lodging a police report at 7.56 pm yesterday” he said.

Mohd Bukhori added an arrest was made as the suspect had been served with two arrest warrants for failing to appear in court for charges against drug offences.

“Initial investigation showed that the suspect was aggressive and wanted to escape, resulting in the scuffle and was hit by a pistol strapped on the hip of one of the police personnel,” he said.

The suspect also tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine.