First large drug seizure of the year - 4.9kg of heroin recovered at Woodlands Checkpoint by ICA and CNB

In the first large drug seizure of the year, exemplifying the close working relations of the Home Team Departments, approximately 4.9kg of heroin, worth about S$740,000, were seized at Woodlands Checkpoint.

On 5 January 2012, at about ten pm, at the arrival bus concourse, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) was alerted that a male bus driver had found three black bundles hidden in one of the seats of the Malaysian-registered bus. The bus driver, 31, was earlier alerted by 2 passengers that they had noticed a fellow male passenger behaving suspiciously by pressing one of the seats in the bus that they were travelling together in. The bus driver then decided to conduct a check upon reaching Woodlands Checkpoint.

ICA officers quickly detained the 34-year-old Malaysian male suspect and informed the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) Enforcement Division’s duty team at the checkpoint. CNB officers conducted a further search on the bus and recovered another seven black bundles hidden in another seat on the same bus. The bundles are believed to contain heroin and in total, 17 packets concealed in 10 bundles of the drug, weighing approximately 4.9kg, were recovered. SPF K9 unit was also activated to help in the search.

The case is now under investigation. Anyone found guilty of importing more than 15 grammes nett of diamorphine may face the death sentence, if convicted.

Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore's security. The enhanced security checks are critical to our nation’s security. We have tightened our security checks on passengers, vehicles and conveyances at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contrabands. In this case, thanks to the alertness of the two passengers, a nefarious attempt to smuggle in the large quantity of drugs was successfully prevented, which would have caused untold harm to our society if allowed to slip in into Singapore.

ISSUED BY
CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY

Picture: The 17 packets of heroin weighing approximately 4.9kg found hidden on the bus. These drugs are estimated to be worth S$740,000.