Joint-news release: Drugs including Cannabis and ‘Ice’ uncovered from separate detections at Woodlands Checkpoint

             Two Malaysian men (a 33-year-old and a 36-year-old) were recently arrested on separate occasions at Woodlands Checkpoint for attempting to smuggle drugs into Singapore via Malaysia-registered vehicles. Follow-up investigations led to the arrest of a 52-year-old Singaporean man.

Details of First Case

2.         On the evening of 31 July 2025, a 33-year-old Malaysian man was arrested for attempting to smuggle drugs including about 414g of ‘Ice’ in a Malaysian-registered car.  

3.         Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers had directed the car for enhanced checks and found a black flask containing bundles of suspected controlled drugs. Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) officers were immediately alerted to the detection and conducted further checks which uncovered an additional bundle of controlled drugs hidden in his groin area.

4.         On the same day, through follow-up investigations, CNB launched an operation at the vicinity of Bras Basah which saw the arrest of a 52-year-old Singaporean man for suspected drug offences.

5.         A total of about 414g of ‘Ice’ and 46g of ‘Ecstasy’ tablets was seized from the black flask and the 33-year-old man. Cash amounting to $2,947.30, THB74,920, MYR1,185.65, IDR100 and NTD10 were also seized. The drugs seized have an estimated worth of more than $52,000. The amount of ‘Ice’ seized could potentially feed the addiction of about 230 abusers for a week.

Details of Second Case

6.         On the morning of 2 August 2025, a 36-year-old Malaysian man was arrested for attempting to smuggle drugs including about 4,149g of cannabis in a Malaysian-registered motorcycle.

7.         ICA officers had directed the motorcycle for enhanced checks and found one packet of suspected controlled drugs. CNB was alerted to the detection and conducted further checks, which uncovered a total of four bundles from the rear box of the motorcycle. 

8.         A total of about 4,149g of cannabis and 10g of ketamine was seized from the motorcycle. The drugs seized have an estimated worth of more than $100,000. The amount of cannabis seized could potentially feed the addiction of about 590 users for a week.

9.         Investigations for both cases are ongoing. Under Section 7 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, those who import into or export from Singapore more than 250g of methamphetamine, or more than 500g of cannabis may face the death penalty. 

Photo 1 (CNB): Drugs seized from the 33-year-old Malaysian man attempting to smuggle the drugs into Singapore on 31 July 2025.

Photo 2 (CNB): Cannabis and ketamine seized from the rear box of the motorcycle driven by the 36-year-old Malaysian man attempting to smuggle the drugs into Singapore on 2 August 2025.

10.         ICA will continue to work with CNB to prevent attempts to smuggle drugs across our borders. ICA will also continue to conduct security checks at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle undesirable persons, weapons, explosives and other contrabands across our borders.

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
06 AUGUST 2025