113 arrested in island-wide anti-drug operation

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) arrested 113 suspected drug offenders in an island-wide anti-drug operation from 12 to 23 August 2024. A total of about 9.8kg of heroin, 3.3kg of Ice, 620g of cannabis, 72g of ketamine, 171g of methamphetamine pills, 74 tablets and 48g of Ecstasy tablets, 4,404 Erimin-5 tablets, 11 LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) stamp, five bottles of liquid suspected to contain GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) and five bottles of methadone were seized. The drugs seized have an estimated street value of about $1.54 million. The youngest arrested in this island-wide operation was a 15-year-old student, for suspected drug abuse.

2. Some of the areas covered during this island-wide operation included Bukit Timah, Ghim Moh, Hougang, Jurong, Marsiling, Mountbatten, Tampines.

Large quantity of drugs seized

3. In the afternoon of 13 August, a 45-year-old Singaporean man was arrested with about 371g of ‘Ice’, 124g of cannabis, 30g of ‘Ecstasy’, 19g of ketamine and one Erimin-5 tablet.

Photo 1 (CNB): Drugs seized from a 45-year-old man on 13 August 2024, including 371g of ‘Ice’.

Largest heroin seizure yet in 2024

4. In the evening of 14 August, a 67-year-old Singaporean man was arrested with about 9.5kg of heroin, 2.6kg of Ice, 4,182 Erimin-5 tablets, 171g of methamphetamine pills, 18g of Ecstasy, five bottles of methadone and cash of $25,240.50. The 9.5kg of heroin seized is the largest single heroin seizure yet for 2024 and the estimated worth of the drugs seized in this case is about $1.4 million.

Photo 2 (CNB): Drugs seized from a 67-year-old man on 14 August 2024, including 9.5kg of heroin and 2.6kg of ‘Ice’.

Young abuser and trafficker arrested

5. On 19 August, a 15-year-old Singaporean boy was arrested for suspected drug abuse; he was arrested with a small amount of Ice. Follow-up investigations led to the arrest of another 15-year-old Singaporean boy for suspected drug trafficking. Both are students.

6. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Saherly Bin Limat, Director of Enforcement, said of the operations:

“This island-wide operation saw the arrest of a 15-year-old suspected drug trafficker. This is a stark reminder to all, that we must not lower our attention on the teenage drug situation. We must continue to engage our youths on the topic of drugs and the harm drugs can cause. Parents have a key role to play in preventive drug education, lest they end up getting information via dubious channels and start sliding down the slippery slope of drugs. CNB has preventive drug education information online which parents can utilise to start their conversation with their children. The time to start engaging them is now, not later.”

7. Investigations into all arrested suspects are ongoing.

Central Narcotics Bureau
23 August 2024

¹Preventive drug education resources can be found at:

Resources