CNB smashed drug syndicate arresting syndicate leader and five others - Seized over 6,800 Erimin 5 tablets, 400 Ecstasy tablets, 360 grammes ketamine, 140 grammes Ice and S$32,000 cash

Swiftly following the operation in Geylang on 7 Mar 2012, the Central Narcotics Bureau launched another operation in the morning targeting a drug syndicate which was distributing a variety of illicit drugs all over Singapore. The syndicate leader and five others, including his associate and clients, were arrested. Over 6,800 Erimin 5 tablets, 420 Ecstasy tablets, 360 grammes of Ketamine and 140 grammes of Ice, with a street value of more than S$106,400, were seized from the syndicate. Cash amounting to more than S$32,000, believed to be illicit proceeds from drug trafficking, was also recovered.

The syndicate, led by a 39-year-old male Singaporean, is believed to be a key distributor of drugs such as Erimin 5, Ecstasy, Ice and Ketamine in Singapore, with an extended network of runners and couriers working under him. His drug clients would order the drugs directly from him, after which the syndicate leader would task his runners to deliver the drugs and collect the payments.

After a period of monitoring, CNB officers moved to arrest the drug syndicate leader and two of his drug clients at the lift landing of an apartment block in the vicinity of Farrer Park. The three men had resisted arrest and the 39-year-old syndicate leader managed to throw a bunch of keys and a mobile phone into the lift gap, which were later retrieved. Another male Chinese, aged 30, was also arrested by CNB officers inside a vehicle parked below the Farrer Park flat. CNB officers recovered three grammes of Ice in the vehicle. CNB officers then searched the Farrer Park hideout of the syndicate leader and recovered Ice and Ecstasy hidden in drawers and shelves in the flat as well as cash amounting to S$14,000 inside a safe.

Separately, another team of CNB officers, who were monitoring another suspected hideout of the syndicate in Bedok South, arrested two more male Chinese at the staircase landing of the block that same evening. One was believed to be the 37-year-old associate of the drug syndicate leader while the other was a 39-year-old suspected drug abuser, who had kept a chopper in his vehicle. A variety of drugs, drug-trafficking and drug-taking paraphernalia and more than S$18,000 in cash were recovered from the two men and the hideout. Over 6,800 Erimin 5 tablets, 390 Ecstasy tablets, 360 grammes of Ketamine and 95 grammes of Ice were seized from the hideout in Bedok South.

All are Singaporeans and they are being investigated for drug offences. Drug trafficking carries a minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment and five strokes of the cane.

CNB will continue to keep up the pressure on illicit drug activities in Singapore with its vigorous enforcement action, systematically targeting all levels of illicit drug activities including abusers, street pushers and distributors.

CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
8 MARCH 2012

Drugs, cash and other items seized by CNB