Teetotal Brunei arrests boozers

Teetotal Brunei arrests boozers

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (AP): On a campaign against illegal drinking, Brunei authorities arrested 10 people in a series of raids this week, including three British soldiers and two policemen, officials said yesterday.

Since Islamic Brunei banned the import and sale of alcohol five years ago, a thriving underground market has grown. Smuggled beer is served secretly in teapots in some restaurants and young men gather late at night at private clubs to drink.

Only foreigners are allowed to bring in a few bottles of alcohol, but have to fill in a form at the airport to declare their un-Islamic cargo. They cannot drink in public or offer it to a Moslem.

"We are determined to clean up the place and the current blitz will continue," said an official of the Royal Brunei Customs, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Three British soldiers deployed in Brunei were arrested for drinking beer at a cafe and two women were detained for stashing beer in their homes, said customs officials speaking on condition of anonymity.