News
78 arrested in island-wide anti-drug operation
22 May 2026
The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) arrested 78 suspected drug offenders in an island-wide anti-drug operation from 18 to 22 May 2026. A total of about 1,949g of heroin, 469g of cannabis, 351g of ‘Ice’, 30g of ‘Ecstasy’, 1,190 Erimin-5 tablets, two bottles of liquid GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) and cash amounting to $5,637.60 were seized. The drugs seized are estimated to be worth more than $200,000. The heroin, ‘Ice’ and cannabis seized can potentially feed the addiction of 1,196 abusers for a week. The youngest arrested in this island-wide operation was a 16-year-old student for suspected drug abuse.
2. Some of the areas covered during this island-wide operation included Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Bukit Batok, Jurong West, North Bridge Road, Punggol and Tampines.
Man arrested for suspected drug abuse and permitting young person to consume drug
3. In the morning of 18 May, CNB officers conducted an operation at a residential unit in the vicinity of North Bridge Road, following an earlier arrest of a 12-year-old Singaporean girl for suspected drug abuse the week before. A 30-year-old Singaporean man was arrested for suspected drug abuse and permitting a young person to consume drug, while a 16-year-old Singaporean girl was arrested for suspected drug abuse. Forced entry was effected as both suspects refused to comply with the lawful orders of the officers to open the door. A search was conducted at the unit, where drug paraphernalia was seized. Preliminary investigations found that the man had allowed the 12-year-old girl to consume drugs.
Two suspected drug trafficker arrested; large assortment of drugs seized
4. On 18 May, CNB officers launched an operation in the vicinity of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 and arrested a 57-year-old Singaporean man at a void deck for suspected drug trafficking offences. A search of the man’s residential unit in the vicinity was conducted, where a total of about 1,785g of heroin, 454g of cannabis, 228g of ‘Ice’, 29g of ‘Ecstasy’, 1,190 Erimin-5 tablets and cash amounting to $5,109.60 were seized.
5. On the same day, through follow-up investigations, CNB officers raided a residential unit in the vicinity of Punggol Place and arrested a 43-year-old Singaporean woman for suspected drug trafficking offences and a 44-year-old Singaporean man for suspected drug abuse. Forced entry was effected as both suspects refused to comply with the lawful orders of the officers to open the door. A search was conducted and a total of 59g of ‘Ice’ and five ‘Ecstasy’ tablets were seized from the unit.
Photo 1 (CNB): Assortment of drugs seized from the operation in the vicinity of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10 on 18 May 2026.
Photo 2 (CNB): Two suspected drug offenders arrested by CNB officers in an island-wide drug operation from 18 to 22 May 2026.
6. Superintendent Eugene Tan, Commanding Officer of Enforcement ‘A’ and ‘E’ Division said:
“Following the arrest of a 12-year-old girl for suspected drug abuse last week, CNB officers conducted follow-up investigations which resulted in the arrest of the 30-year-old man. The case is particularly troubling, as it involved a young and vulnerable child being exposed to drugs. Drug abuse not only destroys lives but also places youths at risk and causes lasting harm to families and the wider community. CNB reminds everyone of the importance of early intervention and continued vigilance to protect our young from drugs. We urge parents, guardians and the community to engage youths early on the harms of drugs and work together with us to keep Singapore drug-free.”
7. Under Section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) 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; 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”, he or she may face the mandatory death penalty.
8. Under Section 11B of the MDA 1973, any person aged 21 years and above who exposes controlled drugs or drug paraphernalia to a child, or permits or fails to take reasonable steps to prevent a young person from consuming controlled drugs, shall be liable for prosecution.
9. Investigations into the drug activities of all arrested suspects are ongoing.
CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
22 MAY 2026