Suspected drug syndicate leader and 4 drug offenders arrested; Drugs seized worth more than S$166,000

          The Central Narcotics Bureau (“CNB”) dismantled a local drug trafficking syndicate and seized a total of 1,375 grams of “Ice”, including ‘Ice’ that had been dyed red, 548 Erimin-5 tablets, 413 “Ecstasy” tablets, 275 grams of cannabis, 72 grams of ketamine and 2 grams of heroin. The total estimated worth of the drugs seized is more than S$166,000.

2         On the early morning of 6 March 2018 before daybreak, CNB officers were deployed at the vicinity of Punggol Drive to keep a lookout of a 34-year-old Singaporean male suspected drug trafficker, who was believed to be the leader of a local drug syndicate. He was spotted driving his car while his associate, a 38-year-old Singaporean male, was seen driving another car with two other Singaporean male and female associates aged 45 and 37 respectively.

3         When officers moved in to arrest the subjects in their vehicles, the 34-year-old male attempted to evade arrest. The rest of the associates were arrested on the spot. Officers pursued the 34-year-old in his car, which was subsequently found abandoned in the vicinity of Tebing Lane. Officers embarked on a search and later arrested the 34-year-old under a bridge along Punggol Promenade Riverside Walk. Upon retracing the escape route, officers found 2 disposed packets, a total of about 1,000 grams of “Ice”. A raid on the subject’s residence at Punggol Drive recovered another 243 grams of “Ice”, 516 Erimin-5 tablets, 390 “Ecstasy” pills and 200 grams of cannabis.

4          Meanwhile, a search on the 38-year-old’s vehicle as well as the three subjects’ hideouts and residences uncovered about 70 grams of cannabis, 50 grams of “Ice”, 2 grams of heroin, 23 Erimin-5 tablets, 2 grams of ketamine, 2 “Ecstasy” tablets and drug utensils.

5          A follow-up operation was mounted immediately and CNB officers arrested another 42-year-old Singaporean male, believed to be a member of the same syndicate. A total of about 82 grams of “Ice”, 70 grams of ketamine, 21 “Ecstasy” tablets, 9 Erimin-5 pills and about 5 grams of cannabis were recovered from his residence at Punggol Field.

6          Investigations into the drug activities of all the suspects are ongoing. The Misuse of Drugs Act provides for the death penalty if the amount of methamphetamine trafficked exceeds 250 grams. CNB spokesman said, “CNB had neutralized a drug trafficking syndicate that is capable of distributing significant amount of drugs to the local market. The amount of ‘Ice’ seized in this operation (1,375 grams) can feed the addiction of about 786 abusers for a week. 275 grams of cannabis feeds the addiction of about 39 abusers a week. CNB will continue its relentless efforts against drug traffickers who seek only to profit at the expense of our society by disregarding the destruction they cause to individuals and their families.”

Photos 1, 2 and 3: Some of the drugs seized in various operations on 6 March 2018 in relation to arrest of a suspected drug syndicate leader.

Photos 4 and 5: Packages containing disposed drugs recovered during one of CNB’s operations on 6 March 2018, in relation to arrest of a suspected drug syndicate leader.

Photos 6 and 7: Location of arrest of 34-year-old Singaporean male suspected drug syndicate leader under a bridge along Punggol Promenade Riverside Walk. The arrest had taken place on the early morning of 6 March 2018 before daybreak.