Joint news release : More than 500kg of cannabis detected at Pasir Panjang scanning station

On 3 January 2026, 509kg of cannabis was detected in a 20-foot inbound container at Pasir Panjang Scanning Station.

2.               The container was targeted for enhanced checks following information received by Singapore Customs, which then shared the information with both the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), coupled with pre-arrival risk assessment by ICA’s Integrated Targeting Centre. During the checks, ICA's Image Analysts detected anomalies in the scanned images of the container. Upon physical inspection, ICA officers found one packet of brownish substance suspected to be a controlled drug inside a box within the container. CNB officers were immediately alerted and conducted further checks on the container, uncovering a total of 902 packets of cannabis, weighing about 509kg in total. 

3.               Preliminary investigations found that the drugs were transiting through Singapore and bound for another country. Investigations are ongoing. Under Section 7 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, those who import into or export from Singapore more than 500g of cannabis may face the death penalty.

4.               ICA will continue to leverage technology and data analytics to strengthen our targeting and detection capabilities. We will also work with the various agencies to conduct security checks at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle drugs, undesirable persons, weapons, explosives and other contrabands across our borders.

Container containing the cannabis on 3 January 2026. (Photo by ICA)

Boxes containing cannabis seized from the container on 3 January 2026. (Photo by CNB)

Packets of cannabis seized from one of the boxes within the container on 3 January 2026. (Photo by CNB)

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
09 JANUARY 2026