CNB's 6-day island-wide operation, drugs worth more than S$235,000 seized

The Central Narcotics Bureau carried out an island-wide operation from 27 February 2016 to the morning of 4 March 2016, arresting a total of 103 suspected drug offenders. A total of about 1.8kg of heroin, 338 ‘Ecstasy’ tablets, 1462 Erimin-5 tablets, about 454g of ‘Ice’, 28g of cannabis, 117 ‘Yaba’ tablets and 24g of suspected synthetic cannabinoids were seized, with an estimated street value of about S$235,000.

Operation seizing more than S$211,000 in drugs

In one of the cases during this island-wide operation, CNB officers arrested six suspected drug offenders and seized a large variety of drugs. About 1.5kg of heroin, 430g of ‘Ice’, 28g of cannabis, 338 ‘Ecstasy’ tablets, 117 ‘Yaba’ tablets, 1450 Erimin-5 tablets, 24g of suspected synthetic cannabinoids and cash of more than S$29,000 were seized. This haul of drugs is estimated to have a street value of more than S$210,000.

In the wee hours of 2 March 2016, a suspected drug courier, a 43-year-old male Malaysian, was arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint after he was found in possession of about 1.3kg of heroin, 77g of ‘Ice’ and 1,000 Erimin-5 tablets. CNB officers conducted swift follow-up investigations and proceeded to arrest three suspected intended recipients of the seized drugs.

The first suspected intended recipient, a 60-year-old male Singaporean, was arrested in the vicinity of Teck Whye Lane.

The second suspected intended recipient, a 33-year-old male Singaporean, was arrested in the vicinity of Bencoolen Street, along with a 35-year-old male Singaporean. 28g of cannabis, two ‘Yaba’ tablets, and a small amount of ‘Ice’ and suspected synthetic cannabinoids were recovered from the 35-year-old male. Both men led officers to a room they rented at a hotel in the vicinity, where 334 ‘Ecstasy’ tablets, 112 ‘Yaba’ tablets, some Erimin-5 tablets, 60g of ‘Ice’ and suspected synthetic cannabinoids were recovered.

Officers proceeded to raid the residence of the 33-year-old male Singaporean in Woodlands. From within the unit, a small assortment of drugs including ‘Ice’, ‘Ecstasy’ tablets, ‘Yaba’ tablets and some synthetic cannabinoids were recovered.

The third suspected intended recipient, a 57-year-old male Singaporean, was arrested in Toa Payoh and from his suspected hideout, officers recovered about 174g of heroin, 57g of ‘Ice’ and 450 Erimin-5 tablets.

Investigations into the drug activities of all the arrested persons are ongoing. The Misuse of Drugs Act provides for the death penalty if the amount of diamorphine (or pure heroin) trafficked exceeds 15g. 15g of diamorphine is equivalent to 1,250 straws, which is sufficient to feed the addiction of about 180 abusers for a week. The Misuse of Drugs Act provides for the death penalty if the amount of methamphetamine trafficked exceeds 250g. 250g of methamphetamine is sufficient to feed the addiction of about 185 abusers for a week^[1].

CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
4 MARCH 2016

Photo 1: Some of the drugs and cash seized in a CNB operation on 2 March 2016.

^[1] This is estimated using a typical purity level of about 77%, based on drug seizures in recent years.