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Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB)
News

Drugs hidden inside papaya, Eight arrested for suspected drug trafficking activities

18 September 2020

In an operation mounted by Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) officers on 17 September 2020, eight males, comprising five Singaporeans and three Malaysians aged between 18 and 50, were arrested for suspected drug trafficking activities. A total of about 375g of ‘Ice’, about 37g of heroin, about 135g of ketamine and an Erimin-5 tablet were seized during the operation, which took place in multiple locations in Singapore. The drugs seized are estimated to be worth about $124,000.

2. In the evening of 17 September, CNB officers intercepted a vehicle in the vicinity of River Valley Road, and arrested two Singaporeans, aged 29 and 48. A search of the vehicle was conducted, and a papaya, which concealed three bundles containing about 333g of ‘Ice’ and two bundles containing about 121g of ketamine, was found. About 42g of ‘Ice’, about 37g of heroin, about 14g of ketamine and an Erimin-5 tablet were also recovered from the vehicle.

Split-screen: Packed crate with newspaper/tape, then open crate showing green/yellow fruits wrapped in newspaper.

Photos 1 and 2 (CNB): Papayas in a fruit basket, seized from a vehicle in the vicinity of River Valley Road on 17 September 2020.

Gloved hands holding green papaya, one whole, one cut open revealing white and orange sections.

Photos 3 and 4 (CNB): A papaya used to conceal ‘Ice’ and ketamine, seized from a vehicle in the vicinity of River Valley Road on 17 September 2020.

Gloved hands hold a bag of six egg-shaped white packages wrapped in clear plastic.

Photo 5 (CNB): Three bundles containing about 333g of ‘Ice’ and two bundles containing about 121g of ketamine concealed inside a papaya, seized from a vehicle in the vicinity of River Valley Road on 17 September 2020.

3. In a follow-up operation from the earlier arrest, CNB officers arrested three Malaysians, aged 18, 22 and 27, in the vicinity of the Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre, where the fruit basket containing the papaya was believed to have been loaded at. In the late evening of 17 September, CNB officers also arrested two Singaporeans, aged 34 and 50, in the vicinity of Clementi Avenue 4. A separate party of CNB officers later arrested another 44-year-old Singaporean in the vicinity of Bukit Purmei Avenue. The three Singaporeans are believed to be linked to the drugs seized from the two Singaporeans in the vicinity of River Valley Road earlier.

4. Investigations into the drug activities of all arrested persons are ongoing. The total amount of 375g of ‘Ice’ seized is sufficient to feed the addiction of about 215 abusers for a week.

5. “Singapore has strict laws for drug trafficking and CNB conducts rigorous enforcement to deter and interdict the flow of drugs into Singapore. Drug syndicates – both local and overseas – continue to take their chances to smuggle and distribute drugs to the local market, to reap profits out of the misery of people trapped in the vicious cycle of drug abuse. Despite them coming up with unorthodox methods in their attempt to evade detection, we will persevere with our vigorous enforcement efforts to ensure that justice is meted out and our drug situation remains under control.” – Mr Aaron Tang, Director Intelligence, CNB.


CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
18 SEPTEMBER 2020

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