Central Narcotics Bureau intensify operations over 4-day period - 85 suspected abusers and 10 traffickers arrested, 1.3kg heroin seized

15 Dec 2011

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) kept up the pressure on the ground and arrested a total of 85 suspected drug abusers and 10 suspected drug traffickers in island-wide operations across a four-day period.

From 12 Dec 2011 to 15 Dec 2011, CNB intensified its enforcement efforts and mounted sustained anti-drug raids island-wide, targeting at street level demand and syndicated supply of drugs. Officers from CNB scoured the island, conducting checks and arrests at various locations including Bukit Purmei, Bedok, Hougang, Woodlands, Pasir Ris, Punggol and Jurong.

A total of 85 suspected drug abusers and ten suspected drug traffickers were arrested and drugs worth approximately $204,000 in street value seized.  The drugs seized included approximately 1.3kg of heroin, 9 grammes of ‘Ice’ and 14 Erimin-5 tablets.

Drug street-level pusher and Clients arrested in Bukit Purmei

In the late afternoon of 14 Dec 2011, CNB officers were investigating into suspected drug activity in the vicinity of Bukit Purmei and spotted two men loitering in a run-down one-storey building. After searching the building, CNB officers found eight packets and two straws of heroin weighing about 60 grammes, and estimated to be worth almost $10,000 as well as several empty straws, believed to be meant for packing drugs. Officers arrested the two Singaporean men aged 46 and 50, on suspicion of drug offences.

CNB officers then set up an ambush, and waited patiently for several hours for the possibility of other drug abusers meeting. Their patience paid off - by late evening on the same day, CNB officers arrested three other Singaporean men who approached the vicinity of the building. Two men, aged 30 and 44, were believed to be abusers who were intending to obtain their heroin fix. The third was a 50-year-old man who works as an odd job labourer and was believed to be the drug pusher who was selling heroin to abusers in the vicinity. He is being investigated for the offence of drug trafficking. If convicted, he faces at least five years’ imprisonment and five strokes of the cane. Investigations are also ongoing into all suspected drug offenders arrested elsewhere.

Another Drug Supplier arrested in Jurong

In another operation launched in the morning of 15 Dec 2011, CNB officers arrested two male Singaporeans at the ground floor lift landing of a housing block in Jurong West in the late morning the same day. They were believed to have just received an overseas consignment of heroin. About 0.9kg of heroin worth $135,000 were recovered from the suspected drug trafficker, aged 28. CNB officers brought the suspected drug trafficker and his suspected drug associate aged 29 to their hideout in the same block and another 0.2kg of heroin were found in a metal container under the bed frame in the room of the hideout. Investigations are on-going. The duo may face the death penalty if convicted of the charge of drug trafficking.

Dir CNB Mr Huang Wen Yi (Ng Boon Gay) said, “I commend all the CNB officers’ efforts in the operation. The Central Narcotics Bureau will not let up on our enforcement efforts. Our island wide ops will systematically target all levels of illicit drug activities including abusers, street pushers and distributors. Even as the festive season approaches, our officers will continue to maintain the pressure on drug offenders.”

CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU

15 DECEMBER 2011