Suspected drug trafficker arrested; offensive weapons seized

          Officers from Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) arrested a 30-year-old Singaporean man for suspected drug trafficking offences on 13 July 2022. A total of about 141g of heroin, 181g of ‘Ice’, 11 ‘Ecstasy’ tablets and 21 Erimin-5 tablets, with a total estimated street value of $47,000, were seized during the operation. Offensive weapons were also recovered. The seizure of 141g of heroin and 181g of ‘Ice’ can feed the addiction of about 170 abusers for a week.

2.           In the evening of 13 July, CNB officers arrested the man in the vicinity of Bedok North Avenue 3. The man had put up a violent struggle to resist arrest, and attacked the officers with a pepper spray. Officers responded with necessary force to subdue the man. Two packets containing about 22g of heroin, five packets containing about 175g of ‘Ice’, 11 ‘Ecstasy’ tablets and 11 Erimin-5 tablets were recovered from the man, along with various drug paraphernalia. Weapons including a knuckle duster, a ‘Karambit’ knife and a pepper spray were also seized.

3.           The man was later escorted to his hideout in a private residential enclave in the vicinity of Siglap Road, where about 119g of heroin, 6g of ‘Ice’ and another ‘Karambit’ knife were further recovered. The man was also escorted to a hideout in the vicinity of Yishun Ave 11, where another ten Erimin-5 tablets were recovered. 

Photo 1 (CNB): Offensive weapons, including a knuckle duster, pepper spray and ‘Karambit’ knife, seized from a CNB operation conducted on 13 July 2022. A fake driving license was also seized from the man’s belongings.

Photos 2 and 3 (CNB): Packets of ‘Ice’, heroin and various drug paraphernalia seized from a 30-year-old Singaporean man from a CNB operation conducted on 13 July 2022. 

4.           DAC Aaron Tang, Director of Intelligence Division, said of the operation:

“Motivated by greed, drug syndicates and traffickers will often stop at nothing to capitalise on the addiction of drug abusers, or evade arrests from the authorities. Our officers have worked hard to keep our streets safe from drugs, even amidst dangerous or challenging situations where drug offenders may resort to the use of weapons and turn abusive or violent. But we will not be deterred – my officers remain steadfast and committed to keeping Singapore drug-free, and we will continue to clamp down hard on these illicit drug activities.”

5.           Under Section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, it is an offence for a person, on his or her own behalf, or on behalf of any other person, whether or not that other person is in Singapore, to traffic in a controlled drug, offer to traffic in a controlled drug; or to do or offer to do any act preparatory to or for the purpose of trafficking in a controlled drug. If a person is found guilty of trafficking more than 15g of diamorphine, he or she may face the mandatory death penalty.

6.           Investigations into the suspect’s drug activities are ongoing. The suspect has also been referred to the Singapore Police Force for investigations into the possession of scheduled weapons and using criminal force against a public servant.

CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU

14 July 2022