(Bandar Seri Begawan, 10th) The Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) announced that between January and April this year, a total of 14 local men suspected of involvement in multiple cable theft cases nationwide were arrested.
Preliminary investigations revealed that these thefts were carried out by several different groups. The arrests were made through joint operations between various police districts and other enforcement agencies, with cooperation from security personnel of the companies involved.
Among those arrested, three men aged between 26 and 56 were caught for stealing cables belonging to the Department of Power Services in the Kampong Rumah Pas Bukit Shah area. Two of them were sentenced on March 26, 2026, to 10 months and 6 months of imprisonment respectively, while the other suspect is still awaiting the trial date.
On another occasion, on March 19, 2026, Tutong District police arrested three suspects aged between 38 and 50, suspected of involvement in a cable theft case in the Kampong Panunok area.
Additionally, on March 3, 2026, Tutong police arrested two suspects, a 36-year-old father and his 14-year-old son, for allegedly stealing cables near a stone cleaning company in the Kampong Seranai area.
Between April 4 and 7, 2026, Belait District police arrested another three men aged between 21 and 39, suspected of involvement in multiple cases of vandalizing Unified National Network (UNN) fiber optic cables in the Labi area.
Subsequently, on April 6, 2026, Brunei-Muara District police arrested another three local men aged between 16 and 34, suspected of involvement in multiple cable theft cases in Kampong Rumah Pas, Kampong Mendiri, and Kampong Beribi.
The police stated that these criminal activities have damaged public infrastructure, including government utilities and telecommunications company networks, resulting in service disruptions and an estimated total loss of over 300,000 Brunei dollars.
The Royal Police remind the public to stay vigilant and to report any suspicious activities via the 993 hotline. Recycling businesses are also urged to cooperate by reporting any metal materials of unclear origin.
The police emphasized that anyone involved in theft or vandalism of public infrastructure will be severely punished according to current laws, including imprisonment and caning.
Among those arrested, three men aged between 26 and 56 were caught for stealing cables belonging to the Department of Power Services in the Kampong Rumah Pas Bukit Shah area. Two of them were sentenced on March 26, 2026, to 10 months and 6 months of imprisonment respectively, while the other suspect is still awaiting the trial date.
On another occasion, on March 19, 2026, Tutong District police arrested three suspects aged between 38 and 50, suspected of involvement in a cable theft case in the Kampong Panunok area.
Additionally, on March 3, 2026, Tutong police arrested two suspects, a 36-year-old father and his 14-year-old son, for allegedly stealing cables near a stone cleaning company in the Kampong Seranai area.
Between April 4 and 7, 2026, Belait District police arrested another three men aged between 21 and 39, suspected of involvement in multiple cases of vandalizing Unified National Network (UNN) fiber optic cables in the Labi area.
Subsequently, on April 6, 2026, Brunei-Muara District police arrested another three local men aged between 16 and 34, suspected of involvement in multiple cable theft cases in Kampong Rumah Pas, Kampong Mendiri, and Kampong Beribi.
The police stated that these criminal activities have damaged public infrastructure, including government utilities and telecommunications company networks, resulting in service disruptions and an estimated total loss of over 300,000 Brunei dollars.
The Royal Police remind the public to stay vigilant and to report any suspicious activities via the 993 hotline. Recycling businesses are also urged to cooperate by reporting any metal materials of unclear origin.
The police emphasized that anyone involved in theft or vandalism of public infrastructure will be severely punished according to current laws, including imprisonment and caning.