CNB smashes drug syndicate, arrested syndicate leader. 2.1kg heroin seized, five arrested.

On 25 June 2014, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) launched an operation to dismantle a drug syndicate believed to be actively distributing heroin in Singapore. The operation smashed the drug syndicate, with a total of about 2.1kg of heroin seized, and five men, including the syndicate leader, were arrested. The heroin seized is estimated to be worth more than S$220,000 and is enough to sustain about 1,000 heroin addicts for a week.

In the pre-dawn hours of 25 June 2014, several teams of CNB officers were deployed in various part of Jurong West to keep observation on the suspected syndicate leader, a 47-year-old male Singaporean, his syndicate members and one of their clients, a 66-year-old male Singaporean drug trafficker. All were believed to be awaiting a fresh consignment of drugs which were being brought into Singapore by a drug courier.

At about 9am, CNB officers deployed in the vicinity of Jurong West Avenue 1 spotted the suspected drug courier, a 34-year-old male Malaysian, meeting up with the 66-year-old suspected Singaporean drug trafficker. The 66-year-old male and the male Malaysian parted ways and a party of CNB officers tailed and arrested him along Bukit Batok East Avenue 3. A total of about 670g of heroin was recovered from the man.

The same male Malaysian was subsequently spotted meeting up with one of the syndicate member, a 44-year-old male Singaporean, at a block’s void deck in the vicinity of Jurong West Street 52. After both parted ways, CNB officers arrested the male Malaysian shortly thereafter. From within the male Malaysian’s vehicle, a total of about 955g of heroin and cash totalling S$10,000 were recovered from the vehicle. Another party of CNB officers then arrested the 44-year-old male Singaporean at his residence in the vicinity. A packet of heroin weighing about 480g and 30 packets of synthetic cannabis weighing about 90g were recovered from within the unit.

Another 32-year-old syndicate member, who was believed to be proceeding to meet the male Malaysian, was also arrested. Cash totalling S$7,200 was recovered from the 32-year-old male Singaporean.

Rounding up the operation, a party of CNB officers raided the housing unit of the 47-year-old syndicate leader. All five men are being investigated for drug trafficking. If convicted, all five may face the death penalty.

CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
26 JUNE 2014