64 arrested in island-wide anti-drug operation; more than 11Kg of cannabis seized

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) arrested 64 suspected drug offenders in an island wide anti-drug operation from 18 to 22 March 2024. A total of about 11,467g of cannabis, 1,336g of ‘Ice’, 10g of ketamine, six grammes of heroin, three tablets and 82g of ‘Ecstasy’, 3,818 Erimin-5 tablets, 46 LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) stamps, 19 bottles of liquid suspected to contain GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) and 10 bottles of methadone were seized. The seized drugs have an estimated street value of about $555,000. The youngest arrested in this island-wide operation was a 17-year-old student for suspected drug abuse. The seizure of about 11,467g of cannabis and 1,336g of ‘Ice’ can feed the addiction of about 2,400 abusers for a week.

2. Some of the areas covered during this island-wide operation included Ang Mo Kio, Compassvale, Woodlands and Yishun.

18-year-old student arrested for suspected drug trafficking

3. In the morning of 18 March, CNB officers raided a residential unit in the vicinity of Compassvale Walk and arrested four Singaporean teenagers aged between 17 and 19 in the unit. About 16g of ‘Ice’, a digital weighing scale, numerous empty plastic packets and other drug paraphernalia were recovered from within the bedroom of an 18-year-old suspect, a student. Preliminary investigations found that the 18-year-old was involved in suspected drug trafficking activities and was assisted by the two 19-year-old suspects.

More than 11kg cannabis seized

4. In the afternoon of 21 March, CNB officers intercepted a car along Yishun Avenue 2 and arrested the driver of the car, a 40-year-old man, and the passenger, a 32-year-old man. A search of the car recovered about 9,991g of cannabis, 1,126g of ‘Ice’, 10g of ketamine, 82g of ‘Ecstasy, 46 LSD stamps and 3,812 Erimin-5 tablets.

5. CNB officers then proceeded to raid the residential units of both men. From within the unit of the 32-year-old man, located in the vicinity of Sembawang Close, officers recovered about 66g of ‘Ice’, 2 Erimin-5 tablets and 0.25g of ‘Ecstasy’. From within the unit of the 40-year-old man, located in the vicinity of Woodlands Street 81, officers recovered about 1,476g of cannabis and 19 bottles of liquid suspected to contain GHB.

Photo 1 (CNB): Controlled drugs seized from car intercepted along Yishun Avenue 2 and from follow-up raids on residential units of the driver and passenger of the said car, on 21 March 2024.

6. DAC Saherly Bin Limat, Director of Enforcement, said of the operations:

“The trafficker and his associates arrested in this operation were below the age of 20 years. This is a worrying sign and echo some of the key findings from the Institute of Mental Health’s 2022 Health and Lifestyle survey that more than 41 per cent of those who abused drugs started before the age of 18, and there is an average early onset age of drug abuse before 16 years old. Early education and intervention from parents are thus crucial. We urge all parents to engage your child early – be the compass to guide them towards a drug-free life.”

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 250g of methamphetamine or 500g of cannabis, he or she may face the mandatory death penalty.

8. Investigations into the drug activities of all arrested suspects are ongoing.

CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
23 March 2024