Biggest haul of heroin uncovered by ICA for the year

As everyone is in a celebratory mood to usher in the New Year, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the land checkpoints are maintaining vigilance and keeping a close watch at the borders. On 31 December 2014, ICA officers detected and seized a total of nearly 9.3kg of heroin at the Woodlands Checkpoint. This is the largest haul of heroin uncovered for 2014.

Heroin seizure at Woodlands Checkpoint

At about 7.30am, the ICA officers conducted a routine check on a Malaysia-registered vehicle upon arrival. The car was driven by a 28-year-old male Malaysian. ICA officers recovered packets of brown substance, suspected to be heroin, under the rear passenger seat of the car. Officers from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) were immediately alerted of the detection. A total of 20 packets of heroin, weighing approximately 9,270g amounting to a potential street value of more than S$649,000 were seized.

CNB officers conducted immediate follow-up investigations and arrested a 27-year-old male Malaysian in the vicinity of Woodlands Town Garden, suspected to be an associate of the 28-year-old male Malaysian.

Investigations on both men are ongoing. If convicted, they may face the death penalty. 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[1], which is sufficient to feed the addiction of about 180 abusers for a week.

Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore's security. The security checks are critical to our nation’s security. The Home Team agencies will continue to conduct checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contrabands.

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
31 DECEMBER 2014

Heroin seized

Vehicle where heroin was found

[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.