The High Court has allowed the Public Prosecutor’s application under the Criminal Asset Recovery Order 2012 for the forfeiture of cash and assets amounting to BND143,274.40 linked to two individuals.
The forfeiture involved Mohammad Faizan bin Ahmad and his wife, Atin Suprihatin.
The pair were arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on September 15, 2020 for suspected involvement in a family-run drug trafficking syndicate dismantled through an operation codenamed “Musang King”.
Following the arrests, authorities seized cash, gold jewellery and vehicles suspected to have been acquired through proceeds of drug trafficking activities.
Investigations revealed that Mohammad Faizan was actively involved in drug trafficking and had allegedly obtained drug supplies from family members who have since been prosecuted and are currently on trial at the High Court on charges involving possession of methylamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking under Section 3A of the Misuse of Drugs Act, as well as money laundering offences under CARO.
Authorities also found that both respondents had allegedly taken steps to conceal assets by distributing them among family members and associates linked to the syndicate.
Deputy Public Prosecutors Syafina Abdul Hadzid and Mohammad Syafi’e Habibuallah Edi Mirhan appeared for the forfeiture application, which was not contested by the respondents.
Judicial Commissioner Haji Abdullah Soefri bin POKSM DSP Haji Abidin declared the seized assets as tainted property under CARO and ordered them forfeited to the Government.
NCB described the order as the first major breakthrough arising from the “Musang King” operation and a significant step in disrupting the financial proceeds of drug trafficking activities.
The bureau reminded the public against involvement in concealing proceeds derived from criminal activities, including holding assets on behalf of individuals with unclear sources of funds.
NCB said it will continue intensifying operations against drug syndicates in Brunei.