CNB and ICA seized 1.5kg of heroin worth S$160,000

The close working relationship between the Home Team agencies was evident yet again when officers from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), with help from the Singapore Police Force (SPF)’s K-9 unit, seized about 1.4kg of heroin from a Malaysian drug courier at Tuas Checkpoint just three days into the new year. CNB officers, in a follow-up operation, nabbed the two local drug traffickers, suspected to be responsible for the consignment, and seized a further small amount of heroin and “Ice”.

First detection at Tuas Checkpoint

On 3 January 2013 at about 0720hrs, ICA officers stopped a 28-year-old male motorcyclist for thorough checks at the motorcycle arrival lane of Tuas checkpoint. The alert ICA officers detected one black bundle hidden below the headlight of the motorcycle, and they immediately notified CNB officers as the bundle was believed to contain controlled drugs.

CNB officers who attended to the case conducted a further search of the Malaysian-registered motorcycle and found four more black bundles below the right and left fairings of the motorcycle. In all, the bundles were found to contain heroin of about 1.4kg. The Malaysian was immediately placed under arrest.

Swift follow-up operation at inland Singapore

CNB officers swiftly conducted a follow-up operation to round up the recipients of the drug delivery. At about 1430hrs the same day, CNB officers arrested two male Singaporeans, aged 47 and 64 respectively, in a Singapore-registered car in the vicinity of Woodlands Street 32. Another 85 straws of heroin, weighing about 115 grammes, a small packet of ‘Ice’, drug paraphernalia, more than S$5,000 cash, and two flick knives were recovered from the car. The operation continued till the early hours of 4 January 2013, with one more packet of heroin, weighing about 8 grammes, found in another car in the same vicinity. The two flick knives were referred to Police for further investigation.

Police K-9 unit was also deployed to search the three vehicles.

In all, the two related operations saw a total seizure of about 1.5kg of heroin and 0.4g of ‘Ice’ with an estimated street value of approximately S$160,000.

The 47-year-old and 64-year-old Singaporeans are being investigated for drug trafficking while the 28-year-old Malaysian is being investigated for drug importation. If convicted, they may face the death penalty under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Continued vigilance by the Home Team

Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore's security. The enhanced security checks are critical to our nation’s security. ICA have tightened its security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contrabands.

Director CNB Mr Ng Ser Song said, “This 1.5kg heroin seizure by both agencies on the third day of the new year signifies our strong determination to target and take down the whole drug supply chain. We will not allow any drug syndicates to carry out drug activities in Singapore. Together with the Home Team agencies, we will continue to work relentlessly to stamp out these illicit drug activities at the checkpoints.”

CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
4 JANUARY 2013

The black bundles of heroin recovered at Tuas Checkpoint on 3 Jan 13

Some of the straws of heroin recovered from a car at a CNB follow-up operation on 3 Jan 13