CNB foils attempt by African syndicate to traffic 2.3kg Ice worth $460,000 through Singapore

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) foiled an attempt by an African syndicate to traffic 2.3kg of ‘Ice’ through Singapore. On 21 Feb 2012 at about 7.00 pm, with the assistance of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), a Malaysian registered taxi departing Singapore at the Woodlands Checkpoint was stopped for checks. Upon searching the taxi, CNB officers recovered a luggage from the car boot belonging to a female Malaysian passenger in the taxi. Further inspection of the luggage revealed a crystalline substance hidden in the inner lining of the luggage. About 2.3kg of crystal methamphetamine or ‘Ice’ was seized and is estimated to be worth about $460,000.

The female passenger, a 29-year-old Malaysian woman was placed under arrest. The Malaysian woman was believed to have collected the drug consignment earlier from an African woman in Singapore. In a follow-up operation on the same night, CNB officers arrested the African woman at a guesthouse in the vicinity of Serangoon Road. The African woman, a 32-year-old female Ghanian, was believed to have checked out from another budget hotel upon handing over the drug consignment to the Malaysian woman before transferring to the guesthouse.

Both women are being investigated for exporting and trafficking in the controlled drug methamphetamine respectively. If convicted, they may face the death penalty.

Director Central Narcotics Bureau Mr Ng Ser Song said, “This is a warning to the West African drug syndicates still active in the region. While Singapore’s excellent transport connectivity makes us an attractive transport node for drug syndicates in the region, CNB will not tolerate any syndicate choosing to conduct their activities here, and we will bring the full force of the law against them swiftly and firmly. Together with our regional counterparts, we will continue to monitor and target such criminal syndicates. 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 hotline is 1800-3256666.

Crystal methamphetamine, or ‘Ice,’ seized by CNB at Woodlands Checkpoint

The luggage bag seized

The luggage and crystal methamphetamine, or ‘Ice,’ seized by CNB at Woodlands Checkpoint