Adulterating Ecstasy tablets to increase profit - two traffickers arrested

On 3 July 2014, Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) launched an operation against two drug traffickers who were suspected to have crushed Ecstasy tablets into powder form and added other substances to reproduce more Ecstasy tablets to increase their profits. The two traffickers were arrested in the vicinity of West Coast Ferry Road and North Bridge Road separately.

The first trafficker, a 46-year-old male, was arrested at about 7.40 am by CNB officers near West Coast Ferry Road. An assortment of drugs in small quantities was found in his possession. He was believed to have another drug trafficker who assisted him in adulterating Ecstasy tablets for sale.

At about 5pm, CNB officers conducted follow-up raids and arrested the second trafficker, a 57-year-old male, in a housing block in the North Bridge Road vicinity. Another 55-year-old male drug abuser was also arrested in the unit. About 25 grammes of Ecstasy in powder form, 88 Ecstasy tablets, 8 Erimin-5 tablets and a small amount of Ice were seized from the unit.

The 57-year-old trafficker was suspected to have crushed Ecstasy tablets into powder form and added other substances to reproduce more Ecstasy tablets. Various drug packaging paraphernalia, including a tablet press machine and metal moulds, were seized from his unit.

The 46-year-old male and 57-year-old male will be investigated for drug trafficking. If convicted, both will face a minimum of five years of imprisonment. The 46-year-old may also be caned. The 55-year-old male was sent to a drug rehabilitation centre. All are Singaporeans.

CNB reminds the public not to experiment with any illicit drugs. Besides the harmful effects of controlled substances already contained in these illicit drugs, unscrupulous traffickers are known to adulterate these illicit drugs further with unknown substances to increase their profits. Any person who abuses such illicit drugs may suffer from serious health damage or even death.

CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
4 JULY 2014

Drug exhibits seized from the suspect’s unit including the tablet press machine used to make Ecstasy tablets and adulterants used.