Toddler recovered safe and sound in CNB Operation on 27 February 2018

In the late afternoon of 26 February 2018, Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) officers arrested a suspected drug trafficker – a 33-year-old female – in the vicinity of Kinta Road. About 195g of heroin and 27g of ‘Ice’ were recovered from within a bag carried by the female suspect. The 33-year-old suspect was brought to her suspected hideout in the vicinity of Roberts Lane. A search of the unit recovered 20 ‘Ecstasy’ tablets and a small amount of heroin and ‘Ice’.

2 In the course of investigations, officers suspected that the 33-year-old female may have a baby as there were messages in her cell phone that made references to a baby. The female suspect denied this initially but later revealed that she was the caregiver of a one-year old male toddler, who was believed to be with two other suspected drug traffickers.

3 Concerned about the well-being and the safety of the toddler, CNB and the Singapore Police Force mounted a follow-up operation to locate the two other suspected drug traffickers and the toddler. Swift follow-up operations then led to the arrest of the two other suspected drug traffickers on 27 February. The first, a 51-year-old male suspected drug trafficker, was arrested in the vicinity of Joo Chiat Road. Before his arrest, the 51-year-old male was spotted with the toddler. With the toddler’s safety in mind, CNB officers moved in swiftly to secure him safely, while concurrently taking down the male suspected drug trafficker.

4 Subsequently, a 38-year-old female suspected drug trafficker and another 41-year-old female suspected drug abuser were arrested within a hotel room in the same vicinity. A total of about 640g of heroin were recovered from within the room.

Photo-1: Heroin packed in large and small plastic bags, digital weighing scale and cut straws containing heroin, found in the hotel room where a 51-year-old suspected drug trafficker was hiding out at Joo Chiat, in CNB operation on 27 February 2018.

Photo-2: Heroin recovered from the hotel room at Joo Chiat in CNB operation on 27 February 2018.

5 Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of a 34-year-old male who had booked the hotel room. He was arrested at his residence in Rivervale Drive and is being investigated for drug trafficking offences.

6 All the suspects arrested are Singaporeans. The toddler has since been handed over to the care of the Child Protective Service of the Ministry of Social and Family Development. Efforts are currently underway to locate the biological mother of the toddler, who is also wanted for drug offences.

7 Mr Sng Chern Hong, Director, Communications Division, CNB, said: “This case clearly highlights the adverse consequences of drugs. The toddler was abandoned by his biological mother and left in the care of a suspected drug trafficker. It was fortunate that our officers were successful in locating the toddler and prevented further harm from being caused to him.”

Photo-3: The one-year old toddler safely secured and sleeping prior to CNB officers handing him over to the care of the Child Protective Service of the Ministry of Social and Family Development

8 Investigations into the drug activities of all the suspects are ongoing. 640g of heroin is enough to feed the addiction of about 305 abusers for a week[*].

CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU

28 FEBRUARY 2018

[*] This is estimated using a typical purity level of 4%, based on drug seizures in recent years.