2.2kg of heroin seized; 4 arrested

On the 27 May 2015, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) launched an operation to arrest a suspected drug trafficker who was believed to be receiving a fresh consignment of drugs. About 2.2kg of heroin was seized, estimated to be worth more than $154,000, along with cash of $14,400, were seized in this operation.

In the evening hours of 27 May 2015, CNB officers were deployed in the vicinity of Tampines North, where the suspected drug trafficker, a 38-year-old male Singaporean, was believed to be awaiting a fresh consignment of drugs. At about 8.10pm, CNB officers spotted a male who was carrying a green-coloured bag, meeting up with the suspected drug trafficker inside a commercial building in the area.

Both men were observed together within the building, where they proceeded to a side staircase of the building. At about 8.35pm, the male left the area in a taxi, without the green bag. CNB officers continued to track this said male.

At about 9.20pm, the suspected trafficker left the side staircase with the green bag. Shortly thereafter, he was arrested within the commercial building. Within the bag, about 1.4kg of heroin was recovered. A further search of the man's locker at the commercial building recovered another about 0.8kg of heroin, along with drug paraphernalia and cash amounting to $6,400.

Meanwhile, the other male, a 27-year-old Malaysian, was stopped at Woodlands Checkpoint when he was attempting to exit Singapore. Cash amounting to $8,000 was recovered from him and his 26-year-old Malaysian travelling companion.

In a follow-up investigation, CNB officers arrested another 27-year-old Singaporean male in Simei. Investigation into the 3 males and 1 female are currently ongoing. If convicted, the 38-year-old Singaporean male and the 27-year-old Malaysian male may face the death penalty. The Misuse of Drugs Act provides for the death penalty if the amount of diamorphine (or pure heroin) trafficked exceeds 15g[1].

CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
28 MAY 2015

CNB photo: The heroin and cash recovered

[1] 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.)]