CNB island-wide operations smash drug traffickers' hideouts and drug abuser den; 90 arrested, 2.45kg heroin and drugs worth more than $370k seized

Officers of the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) were deployed in force this week throughout Singapore, successfully foiling would-be drug offenders throughout the supply chain – from importers to traffickers to small-time drug pushers and abusers. These island-wide operations were conducted over three days from 26 March 2012 to 28 March 2012, and successful arrests made all over the island, including in Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Lengkok Bahru, North Bridge Road, Sin Ming, Tampines, Toa Payoh and also the Woodlands Checkpoint.

In total, 90 suspected drug offenders were arrested and drugs worth more than S$370,000 were seized, including approximately 2.45kg of heroin, 70 grammes of cannabis, 30 grammes of ‘Ice’ and other assortment of drugs.

Importation of 1.4kg heroin foiled with ICA’s assistance

With the assistance of alert Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers, a 22-year-old Malaysian riding a motorcycle was stopped at the Woodlands Checkpoint on 26 March 2012. A search revealed approximately 1.4kg of heroin hidden in the motorcycle and he was placed under arrest. He is being investigated for drug importation.

Drug traffickers’ hideouts in Toa Payoh and North Bridge Road busted

For several months, CNB has been investigating a 57-year-old Singaporean man for suspected drug trafficking. On 27 March 2012, CNB launched an operation against the 57-year-old man and his associate, a 37-year-old Singaporean man. CNB officers were deployed at their suspected hideouts in North Bridge Road and Toa Payoh respectively. Both of these men are believed to be unemployed.

In the morning of 27 March, CNB officers spotted the 37-year-old associate in a carpark in Toa Payoh East and moved in to arrest him. He was searched and 23 grammes of heroin were recovered from his jeans pocket. CNB officers then escorted him to a nearby HDB apartment believed to be his hideout. A search of the apartment uncovered approximately 13 grammes of ‘Ice’ and drug paraphernalia, such as weighing scales, empty sachets and smoking utensils. Three suspected abusers – two women, aged 26 and 37, and a man aged 28, were also arrested within.

Concurrently, CNB officers deployed at North Bridge Road spotted the 57-year-old trafficker and moved in to arrest him while he was leaving his hideout in an apartment block there. CNB officers recovered 4 grammes of heroin from him and another about 560 grammes of heroin, a small amount of ‘Ice’ and drug paraphernalia, such as a weighing scale, empty sachets and improvised smoking apparatus from the apartment. A 45-year-old woman was also arrested for drug abuse in the unit.

The 57-year-old trafficker is being investigated for drug trafficking. If convicted in court, he may face the death penalty. His 37-year-old associate is being investigated for drug consumption and possession.

Drug abuser den in Tampines smashed

In the morning of 26 March, another team of CNB officers raided a HDB apartment in Tampines Street 83 where a suspected street pusher was believed to be staying. Four male Singaporeans were arrested within – a 47-year-old, believed to be a drug pusher, and three suspected abusers, aged 36, 50 and 58. One packet and 20 straws of heroin weighing approximately 18 grammes in total were found strewn around several places in the apartment. Drug abuse paraphernalia such as aluminium foil, lighters and a smoking utensil were also found.

Follow-up investigation by CNB led to the arrest of another 6 more male Singaporeans who were suspected to be clients of the street pusher – five at nearby HDB void decks and bus-stops, and the sixth at a fast-food restaurant in Bedok North. These six men range from 31 to 51 years of age.

Director CNB, Mr Ng Ser Song said, “CNB will continue to conduct such multi-pronged operations targeting at all levels of drug offenders, including abusers, street pushers and syndicated drug traffickers. The successful arrests this week demonstrate CNB’s continued commitment to enforce the law against all drug offenders big or small.”

CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU 28 MARCH 2012