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Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB)
News

Heroin and 'ICE' worth more than S$282,000 seized at Woodlands Checkpoint

17 May 2016

On 16 May 2016 at about 4.50am, a Malaysia-registered lorry was stopped by officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) for checks upon arrival at the Woodlands Checkpoint. The lorry was carrying a consignment of pails and cans as well as a consignment of shield anchors.

In the course of inspection by the ICA officers, drugs totalling about 2,780g of heroin and 480g of ‘Ice’ were found.  The drugs were concealed in the compartment behind the passenger seat of the lorry.  The lorry driver and the passenger, male Malaysians aged 33 and 27 respectively, were arrested and referred to the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB).  Investigations are ongoing.  The estimated worth of this haul of drugs is more than S$282,000. 

The Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) provides for the death penalty if the amount of diamorphine (or pure heroin) trafficked exceeds 15g. 15g of diamorphine is equivalent to 1,250 straws[1], which is sufficient to feed the addiction of about 180 abusers for a week.  The MDA also provides for the death penalty if the amount of methamphetamine trafficked exceeds 250g.  250g of methamphetamine is sufficient to feed the addiction of about 185 abusers for a week[1].

Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore's security, and security checks are critical to our nation’s security.  The Home Team agencies will continue to conduct checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contrabands.

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU

17 MAY 2016

Six bags with purple chunks and three bags with white powder, all sealed.

(CNB photo): Heroin and ‘Ice’ seized at Woodlands Checkpoint on 16 May 2016

Front view of white and grey Isuzu "FG" truck parked indoors.

(CNB photo): Lorry driven by 33-year-old male Malaysian arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint on 16 May 2016

[1] This is estimated using a typical purity level of 4%, based on drug seizures in recent years. The number of straws that are actually made may vary according to the purity level of the heroin used in the straws.

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