139 arrested in island-wide anti-drug operation

       The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) arrested 139 suspected drug offenders in an island-wide anti-drug operation from 18 to 30 May 2025. A total of about 3,588g of heroin, 2,744g of cannabis, 1,303g of ‘Ice’, 155g of ketamine, 54g of ‘Ecstasy’, 26g of cocaine, 213 of Erimin-5 tablets, 49 vape devices suspected to contain THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and 22 LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) stamps were seized. The drugs seized are estimated to be worth more than $626,700 and could potentially feed the addiction of 2,840 abusers for a week. The youngest arrested in this island-wide operation was a 14-year-old student for suspected drug abuse. 

2.     Some of the areas covered during this island-wide operation included Ang Mo Kio, Boon Keng, Bukit Merah, Jurong, and Sengkang.

Five foreign nationals arrested for suspected drug offences at Tuas 

3.     In the early morning of 23 May, acting on information received, CNB officers launched an operation in the vicinity of Tuas South Avenue and arrested five male foreign nationals, aged between 23 and 34, for suspected drug offences. Two men, aged 25 and 34, put up a struggle to resist arrest and necessary force was used to subdue them. A 23-year-old man was spotted by CNB officers in the process of disposing of substances believed to be drugs. The disposed items, including about 2g of cannabis, were seized and the 23-year-old was arrested after he was suspected to have been disposing drugs. A 24-year-old man was found with a small amount of ‘Ice’ on his person; and a total of about 27g of cannabis was found in a room in a residential lodging in the vicinity. The lodger, aged 32 years old was arrested for possession of a controlled drug.

Photo 1 (CNB): A suspected drug offender arrested by CNB officers in the vicinity of Tuas South Avenue on 23 May 2025.

Large amount of heroin seized in Geylang hotel room 

4.       In the afternoon of 28 May, CNB officers raided a hotel room in the vicinity of Geylang Lorong 10 and arrested a 46-year-old man for suspected drug trafficking offences. Forced entry was effected as the man refused to comply with the lawful orders of the officers to open the door. A search of the room found about 2,818g of heroin, 565g of ‘Ice’, 20g of cannabis, 24g of ketamine, four Erimin-5 tablets and cash of $541.61. 

Photo 2 (CNB): Drugs seized from a hotel room in the vicinity of Geylang Lorong 10 on 28 May 2025.

Drugs including 2.1kg of cannabis seized at Tampines

5.     In the evening of 29 May, CNB officers arrested a 29-year-old Singaporean man at the carpark of a condominium in the vicinity of Tampines Street 86 for suspected drug trafficking offences. The man was escorted to his hideout in the condominium where about 2,104g of cannabis, 165g of ‘Ice’, 103g of ketamine, 37g of ‘Ecstasy’, 26g of cocaine, 22 LSD stamps, 10 Erimin-5 tablets and 49 vape devices suspected to contain THC were seized. 

Photo 3 (CNB): Drugs seized from the 29-year-old’s hideout in the condominium on 29 May 2025.

6.     Assistant Commissioner Aaron Tang, Director Intelligence Division, said:

"The operation demonstrates CNB's relentless and resolute stance against drugs. The drugs we seized from the operation would have destroyed countless lives and families in Singapore. Our message is clear - those who choose to profit from selling drugs will face the full force of CNB’s actions. We will hunt these drug traffickers down to keep Singapore drug-free for our communities."

7.     Under Section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, it is an offence for a person, on his or her own behalf, or on behalf of any other person, whether or not that other person is in Singapore, to traffic in a controlled drug, offer to traffic in a controlled drug; or to do or offer to do any act preparatory to or for the purpose of trafficking in a controlled drug. If a person is found guilty of trafficking more than 15g of diamorphine or “pure heroin”, or 250g of methamphetamine, or more than 500g of cannabis, he or she may face the mandatory death penalty.

8.     Investigations into all arrested suspects are ongoing.  

CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
31 May 2025