1.9kg heroin seized at Woodlands Checkpoint, 1 arrested

A Singapore Police K9 detection at Woodlands Checkpoint led to the arrest of one male Malaysian and seizure of a total haul of about 1.9kg of heroin.

On 3 Sept 2014, an alert Police K-9 officer, along with his canine colleague, conducted a search on an arriving male Malaysian at the motorcycle lane of Woodlands Checkpoint. A detailed search was conducted and a bundle of drugs hidden in the back seat compartment of the vehicle was discovered. The Police K-9 officer also suspected more drugs hidden at the man’s groin area. It was later established that the man had hidden bundles of drugs in the said area. The case was referred to Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB).

CNB officers at the checkpoint conducted further searches and more drugs were found hidden at the motorcycle and on the Malaysian. In total, four bundles of heroin weighing approximately 1.93kg[1] were recovered. The drugs seized had a total street value of more than S$135,000.

The 27-year-old was immediately arrested. Investigations are ongoing. If convicted, he may face the death penalty.

The drugs seized could potentially feed the addiction of about 920 abusers for a week. This case is a testament of the close working relationship amongst the Home Team agencies at our borders to keep illicit drugs from flowing into Singapore.

CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU 4 SEPTEMBER 2014

Heroin seized at Woodlands Checkpoint on 3 Sept 2014

[1] 15g 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.)