Drugs sent via postal system seized

On 4 December 2014, about 104g of ketamine, 37g of ‘Ice’, 120 Erimin-5 tablets and 299 Ecstasy tablets, were seized in an operation in which one suspected drug importer was also arrested. Some of the drugs were seized from a package sent to Singapore via the postal system.

At about 2.55pm yesterday, an Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer at the ICA Parcel Post Section found a suspicious parcel which had arrived from a neighbouring country and was declared to contain books. The officer then directed the parcel for further checks. The parcel was found to contain a locked safe-box disguised as a book, and from within the safe-box, about 103g of ketamine and 299 tablets suspected to be ‘Ecstasy’ tablets were found. The items were handed over to officers from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), who swiftly conducted follow-up investigations.

Resulting from the follow-up investigations, CNB officers proceeded to raid a unit in Marsiling Drive. From within the unit, CNB officers recovered about 37g of ‘Ice’, a small amount of ketamine, 120 Erimin-5 tablets and various capsules and tablets suspected to contain controlled drugs. A safe-box disguised as a book, similar to the one found within the package earlier, was also recovered from the unit. A 25-year-old male Singaporean, the suspected intended recipient and importer of the package, was arrested.

Investigations are ongoing. Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, those convicted of importation of Class A controlled drugs will face a minimum of 5 years’ imprisonment and 5 strokes of the cane.

CNB and ICA will continue to conduct checks on items brought in via the checkpoints or the postal system to prevent attempts to smuggle in contrabands such as controlled drugs, weapons and explosives.

CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
5 DECEMBER 2014

Photo 1: Two safe-boxes disguised as books and Ecstasy tablets and ketamine seized on 4 December 2014.

Photo 2: Close-up view of Ecstasy tablets and ketamine seized on 4 December 2014.