1.31kg heroin seized in CNB operation, five arrested

            A total of about 1.31kg of heroin was seized in an operation conducted by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) on 5 December 2017.  The operation saw the arrest of five suspected drug offenders, all Singaporeans.  The heroin seized in this operation was estimated to be worth more than S$138,000.

2          On 5 December, CNB officers raided a unit at Toa Payoh East and arrested three suspected drug traffickers (a 57-year-old male, a 44-year-old male and a 39-year-old female) within the unit.  A total of about 1kg of heroin was recovered from within the unit.

3          Swift investigations led to the arrest of a suspected drug trafficker – a 44-year-old male – in the vicinity of Tampines Street 44.  The 44-year-old male suspect was believed to be the intended recipient of some of the heroin recovered within the unit at Toa Payoh East.  A total of about 313g of heroin was recovered from the 44-year-old male suspect.  A suspected drug abuser (a 28-year-old male) who was spotted meeting up with the 44-year-old male, prior to his arrest, was also arrested. 

4          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 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. 

*This is estimated using a typical purity level of 4%, based on drug seizures in recent years. The number of straws that are actually made may vary according to the purity level of the heroin used in the straws.

CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
6 DECEMBER 2017

Photo 1 (CNB): Heroin seized in CNB operation on 5 December 2017.