CNB & NCID Joint Operation: Johor-based drug syndicate smashed, 2.85kg Heroin seized by CNB in Singapore

            In early April 2018, the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) of the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) initiated joint investigations with the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB).  NCID had information of a Johor-based drug syndicate that was supplying sizeable amount of drugs to traffickers in Singapore.  Both agencies commenced intensive joint investigations, with a view to launch a joint operation to net the syndicate members and neutralise the drug syndicate.

2          On 3 April 2018, CNB and NCID received intelligence that a consignment of drugs will be coming into Singapore. 

Launch of operation by CNB

3          In the late afternoon of 3 April 2018, CNB officers deployed in the vicinity of Alexandra Retail Centre (ARC) spotted a 45-year-old Singaporean male suspected drug trafficker driving a car to the fourth level of the ARC carpark.  Another suspected drug trafficker, a 55-year old Singaporean male, was a passenger in the car.  A while later, officers spotted two other suspects - a 25-year-old and a 27-year-old, both Malaysian males - arriving at the same carpark on a Malaysia-registered motorcycle.  After parking the motorcycle, the 27-year-old Malaysian passenger on the motorcycle was observed going to the fourth level of the carpark.

4          A short while later, all four suspects left the carpark on their respective vehicles.  The two Singaporean suspects were arrested along Alexandra Road.  In an attempt to evade arrest, the 45-year-old Singaporean fell and hit his head on the road kerb.  He was subsequently conveyed to hospital and was discharged after medical observation.  About 470g of heroin was recovered from within the glove compartment of the car.  

Photo-1 (CNB): Heroin in glove compartment of car driven by 45-year-old Singaporean male suspect.

5          The two Malaysians were apprehended in the vicinity of the road junction of Alexandra Road and Telok Blangah Road.  Cash of S$2,500 was recovered from each of the Malaysians respectively.

‘Drug store’ raided

6          CNB officers proceeded to search the workplace of the 25-year-old Malaysian arrested earlier.  Officers recovered about 2,380g of heroin and 525g of ‘Ice’ from within the locker of the 25-year-old Malaysian.

Photos-2 & 3 (CNB): Locker used by 25-year-old Malaysian arrested in CNB operation on 3 April, and heroin recovered from within the locker.

7          In the early evening of the same day, CNB officers arrested two more suspects believed to be associated with the syndicate.  The suspects, a 23-year-old and a 26-year-old, both Singaporean males, were arrested within a supermarket in the vicinity of Choa Chu Kang Avenue 3.  Both had violently resisted arrest and necessary force was used to subdue them.  Two CNB officers sustained minor injuries in the process and had received outpatient treatment.  A small packet of ‘Ice’ was recovered from the 23-year-old suspect.

Launch of operation by NCID

8          Following up closely on CNB’s operation, on 4 April 2018, NCID launched an operation to neutralise the Johor-based syndicate.  NCID arrested a total of 10 suspects – consisting of nine Malaysians (eight males, one female) and one female foreign national.  A total of about 11.5kg of heroin and 61g of ‘Ice’ were recovered from the operation.  Six cars were also seized in the operation.

Photos-4 & 5 (NCID): Heroin seized by NCID in Johor on 4 April 2018.

9          Investigations into the drug activities of all the six suspects arrested in Singapore are ongoing.  The Misuse of Drugs Act provides for the death penalty if the amount of diamorphine (or pure heroin) trafficked exceeds 15g and if the amount of methamphetamine trafficked exceeds 250g.  2,850g of heroin, which is the amount of heroin seized in CNB’s operation, is enough to feed the addiction of about 1,357 abusers for a week^[1].  525g of ‘Ice’ is enough to feed the addiction of about 300 abusers for a week^[2].  The estimated worth of the heroin and ‘Ice’ seized in Singapore is about S$347,000.

10        Director CNB Mr Ng Ser Song said, “This joint operation is yet another testament to the close and effective cooperation between CNB and NCID, and the trust and rapport between the two agencies and our officers.  As a result of the intensive investigations by and close coordination between CNB and NCID, we have managed to dismantle a drug syndicate that was supplying sizeable amount of drugs to Singapore, and also prevented a large amount of drugs from flowing onto the streets of Singapore.  I would like to reiterate, that the fight against drugs must be fought with close cooperation between counterparts.  No drug enforcement agency can do it alone.  I would like to thank Director NCID Datuk Seri Mohmad Bin Salleh and NCID officers for their continuing strong support and cooperation with CNB over the years, and look forward to more shared success in the future.”

CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
8 APRIL 2018

[1] This is estimated using a typical purity level of about 4%, based on drug seizures in recent years.

[2] This is estimated using a typical purity level of about 77%, based on drug seizures in recent years.