26 traffickers and 55 abusers arrested, S$314,000 worth of drugs seized in three-day CNB operation.

26 suspected drug traffickers and 55 suspected drug abusers were arrested during an intensive three-day island-wide operation mounted by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) to target syndicated drug trafficking activities.

In the operation between 5 to 8 October 2015, CNB seized about 3kg of heroin, 495g of ‘Ice’, 326 ‘Ecstasy’ tablets, 64 Erimin-5 tablets, 42g of cannabis and a small amount of new psychoactive substances (NPS).  The entire haul of drugs is estimated to be worth more than S$314,000. 

Heroin haul at Woodlands

In one of the cases in the three-day operation, CNB officers seized a total of about 1,571g of heroin and 38g of ‘Ice’, estimated to be worth about S$116,000.  On the night of 5 October 2015, CNB officers deployed in the vicinity of Woodlands Crescent arrested a suspected drug trafficker and a suspected drug courier.  From the suspected drug trafficker, a 42-year-old female Singaporean, officers recovered about 1,567g of heroin and 27g of ‘Ice’.  Cash of S$9,120 was recovered from the suspected drug courier, a 36-year-old male Malaysian. 

In the follow-up raid on the hideout of the suspected trafficker, officers arrested a 64-year-old male Singaporean associate of the suspected trafficker and a 47-year-old female Singaporean suspected abuser.  From within the unit, officers recovered a total of about 11g of ‘Ice’, 30 Erimin-5 tablets, a small amount of heroin and various drug paraphernalia such as a digital weighing scale and numerous empty plastic sachets. 

Photo-1 : Heroin, ‘Ice’ & cash seized in CNB operation on 5-Oct 2015

Jurong West drug ring busted

In another case in the three-day operation, CNB officers seized a total of about 926g of heroin and 438g of ‘Ice’, estimated to be worth about S$143,000.  On the night of 6 October 2015, CNB officers deployed in Jurong West had observed a Singapore-registered black car meeting up with a Malaysia-registered lorry.  Of the three males in the car, one male left the car to approach the lorry, and both vehicles parted ways after the male went back to the car.

The Singapore-registered car was tailed to a mall in Jurong, where one male passenger alighted and the car went off.  CNB officers arrested the man, a 34-year-old Singaporean, a short while later and recovered a total of about 51g of ‘Ice’ from him. 

The black car was tailed to the vicinity of Jurong West Street 92, where officers observed a female approach the car and then left.  The female suspected trafficker, a 28-year-old Singaporean, was placed under arrest.  A total of about 926g of heroin and 256g of ‘Ice’ were recovered from within a plastic bag in her possession. 

Meanwhile, the black car had proceeded to nearby Jurong West Street 91, where the remaining male passenger alighted.  Shortly thereafter, CNB officers moved in to arrest the 43-year-old Singaporean suspected trafficker.  A small amount of heroin and cash of S$4,600 was recovered from him.

The driver of the black car, a suspected trafficker, was subsequently arrested along Jurong West Street 93.  A search of the car recovered a total of about 131g of ‘Ice’. 

Another party of officers tailing the Malaysia-registered lorry saw it come to a stop along Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim, near Tuas Checkpoint.  Sensing an opportune moment when the lorry driver had alighted, officers moved in to place both driver and passenger under arrest.  Both suspected drug couriers are 30-year-old male Malaysians.

Photo-2 : Drugs and cash seized in CNB operation on 6-Oct 2015

Investigations into the drug activities of all the arrested persons are ongoing.  The Misuse of Drugs Act provides for the death penalty if the amount of diamorphine (or pure heroin) trafficked exceeds 15g, and if the amount of methamphetamine trafficked exceeds 250g. 15g of diamorphine is equivalent to 1,250 straws[1], which is sufficient to feed the addiction of about 180 abusers for a week, while 250g of methamphetamine is sufficient to feed the addiction of about 185 abusers for a week[2].

Photo-3 : CNB officer conducting search in CNB operation from 5-8 Oct 2015

Photo-4 : CNB officer conducting search in CNB operation from 5-8 Oct 2015

Photo-5 : CNB officer going through seized exhibits in CNB operation from 5-8 Oct 2015

Photo-6 : CNB officers escorting a suspect arrested in CNB operation from 5-8 Oct 2015

CNB is committed to keeping the streets of Singapore safe from drugs.  CNB will continue to mount sustained operations against drug traffickers and abusers alike, to reaffirm our stance of zero tolerance for drugs.

CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
8 OCTOBER 2015

[1] 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

[2] This is estimated using a typical purity level of about 77%, based on drug seizures in recent years.