CNB and ICA foil two attempts by syndicate to traffic 6.7kg of Ice worth S$1.3mil through Singapore

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) continues its tough stance to weed out illicit drug activities in Singapore. Together with the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), the agencies successfully foiled two attempts by West African syndicate to traffic about 6.7kg of Ice worth over a million Singapore dollars. The interceptions were made in two separate joint operations between the two agencies at Tuas Checkpoint and Changi Airport.

First interception at Tuas Checkpoint

In the first arrest on 3 September 2012, at about 8am, CNB and ICA officers arrested a 22-year-old Indonesian female while she was about to depart Singapore by bus at the Tuas Checkpoint. CNB officers searched her luggage and recovered 2.9kg of Ice, wrapped in a bag, sandwiched in between two wooden panels. The street value of the drugs was worth about S$580,000.

Second interception at Changi Airport

In the second joint operation between CNB and ICA about 13 hours later, a CNB officer stopped a 40-year-old female Ghanaian at Changi Airport’s Arrival Hall for a routine check. Her luggage was screened and ICA officers detected anomalies in some of the items packed inside her luggage.

CNB officers examined the luggage’s contents closely and found four round blocks of Ice compressed in two sealed food tin cans. Another eleven bundles of Ice were found hidden in two DVD players and a power adapter. More bundles of Ice were found taped and hidden inside two pairs of shoes in the luggage.

The total seizure of the drugs (including the weight of the shoes) was about 3.8kg, with a street value of more than S$770,000. This is the second largest Ice seizure since November 2011.

Investigations against both women are ongoing. If convicted, they may face the death penalty.

Director CNB Mr Ng Ser Song commented, “We know the West African drug syndicates remain active in the region. CNB will not tolerate any syndicate choosing to leverage on Singapore’s excellent transport connectivity to further their criminal activities here. We will bring the full force of the law against them swiftly and firmly. We would also like to remind Singaporeans not to allow themselves to be made use of by foreign drug syndicates and should reject any suspicious offer of free travel or paid holidays. If unsure, members of public can call CNB.”

CNB’s 24-hour toll-free hotline is 1800-3256666.

CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
4 SEPTEMBER 2012

Tuas Case

Luggage where drugs were found

Drugs found hidden in wooden panel of luggage

Changi Case

Drugs found hidden in DVD player

Drugs found hidden in ladies’ shoes

Drugs hidden in canned food