Syndicate leader arrested, heroin and other drugs seized in CNB operation on 8 December 2015

On 8 December 2015, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) mounted an operation which saw the arrest of a suspected drug syndicate leader and three other drug offenders.  A total of more than 900g of heroin, about 400g of psychotropic drugs like ‘Ice’ and ketamine, more than 800 Erimin-5 tablets and about 90 ‘Ecstasy’ tablets were seized from the operation, with an estimated worth of more than $103,000. 

Poly-Drug Store

In the evening of 8 December 2015, CNB officers were deployed in the vicinity of Hamilton Road to conduct observation on a suspected drug syndicate leader, who was believed to be trafficking an assortment of drugs. 

At about 7.11pm, a rider of a Malaysia-registered motorcycle was spotted entering a unit along Hamilton Road.  At about 7.25pm, the rider was seen leaving the unit and subsequently left the area on his motorcycle.  A party of CNB officers tailed the rider and intercepted the motorcycle at the junction of Jalan Besar and Lavender Street.  Officers searched the rider, a 43-year-old male Malaysian, and recovered Erimin-5 tablets from him.  Cash of S$6,000 was also recovered from within a bag the man was carrying.

Simultaneously, another party of CNB officers raided the unit along Hamilton Road.  Officers arrested the suspected drug syndicate leader, a 55-year-old male Singaporean, within the unit.  A search of the room recovered a total of more than 900g of heroin, about 400g of psychotropic drugs like ‘Ice’ and ketamine, more than 800 Erimin-5 tablets, about 90 ‘Ecstasy’ tablets and a small amount of cannabis and opium.  Three digital weighing scales and an improvised drug-smoking apparatus were also recovered.

Follow-up Arrests

Follow-up arrests were carried out in the same evening, when CNB officers arrested a 37-year-old male Singaporean, who is a suspected associate of the 55-year-old male, and another 55-year-old male Singaporean suspected drug abuser.

Investigations into the drug activities of the four suspects are ongoing.  The Misuse of Drugs Act 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, which is sufficient to feed the addiction of about 180 abusers for a week. 

Drugs inflict harm and suffering, not just on drug abusers, but also on their loved ones and on society at large.  The Central Narcotics Bureau takes a zero-tolerance stance on drugs and drug abuse, and will take strong action to ensure that drugs are kept off our streets.  CNB calls on the community to continue to support CNB and our zero-tolerance stance on drugs and drug abuse.  Together, we can keep Singapore safe from drugs and drug abuse.

CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
9 DECEMBER 2015

See photos below

Photo 1: Drugs, drug paraphernalia and cash seized from CNB operation on 8 December 2015.

Photo 2: Drug paraphernalia and cash seized from CNB operation on 8 December 2015.

Photo 3: Drugs found in the room of the 55-year-old suspected drug syndicate leader on 8 December 2015.

Photo 4: Erimin-5 tablets seized from CNB operation on 8 December 2015.