About 1.4kg of heroin seized. Drug trafficker and accomplices arrested.

On 11 August 2016, officers from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) were deployed at Balestier Road and Queenstown to conduct observation on a suspected drug trafficker, a 33-year-old male Singaporean, and his suspected associate, a 49-year-old male Singaporean.

In the early afternoon of 11 August, officers spotted the suspected drug trafficker meeting up with a 40-year-old male Malaysian, along Boon Teck Road. Both parted ways shortly thereafter, driving away from the area in their vehicles.

The suspected drug trafficker was tailed to the vicinity of Queenstown, where he was arrested. A search of the car recovered nearly 1.4kg of heroin, 320g of ‘Ice’, a bottle of methadone and a digital weighing scale. Cash of more than S$600 was also recovered from the 33-year-old male.

The 40-year-old Malaysian and his spouse, a 31-year-old Malaysian, were arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint as they were attempting to exit Singapore. Cash amounting to S$7,000 was recovered from within the handbag of the female Malaysian. More than 900 Malaysian Ringgit was also recovered from both suspects.

Another party of CNB officers raided the hideout of the suspected associate, a unit in the vicinity of Queenstown. The 49-year-old suspected associate and two suspected drug abusers – a 43-year-old male and a 37-year-old female, both Singaporeans – were arrested within the unit. About 30g of heroin, 10g of ‘Ice’ and cash of S$3,400 were recovered from within the unit.

A total of about 1.4kg of heroin and 330g of ‘Ice’ were seized in this operation. The haul of drugs have an estimated worth of more than S$138,000.

Investigations are ongoing. The Misuse of Drugs Act provides for the death penalty if the amount of diamorphine (or pure heroin) trafficked exceeds 15g. 15g of diamorphine is equivalent to 1,250 straws, which is sufficient to feed the addiction of about 180 abusers for a week.

CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
12 AUGUST 2016

Photo 1: Heroin, ‘Ice’ and cash seized in CNB operation on 11 August 2016