Two suspected drug traffickers arrested; drugs seized enough to feed 1,380 abusers for a week

On 5 March 2024, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) conducted two separate operations which saw the arrest of two Singaporean men for suspected drug trafficking offences. From the two operations, a total of about 5,651g of cannabis, 975g of heroin, 195g of ‘Ice’, 10 Erimin-5 tablets and two bottles of methadone were seized. The seizure of about 5,651g of cannabis, 975g of heroin and 195g of ‘Ice’ can feed the addiction of about 1,380 abusers for a week.

2. In the early afternoon of 5 March, CNB officers raided a residential unit in the vicinity of Yishun Street 44 and arrested a 54-year-old man within the unit. A search of the unit recovered about 975g of heroin, 195g of ‘Ice’, 104g of cannabis, 10 Erimin-5 tablets and two bottles of methadone, estimated to be worth about $167,000.

Photo 1 (CNB): Controlled drugs seized from a residential unit in the vicinity of Yishun Street 44 on 5 March 2024.

3. In a separate operation on the same day, CNB officers raided a residential unit in the vicinity of Fernvale Street and arrested a 29-year-old man within the unit. A search of the room occupied by the 29-year-old man recovered about 5,547g of cannabis. Cash amounting to $14,850 was also recovered from within the same room. The haul of cannabis from this raid is estimated to be worth about $199,700.

Photo 2 (CNB): Cannabis seized from a room in a residential unit in the vicinity of Fernvale Street on 5 March 2024.

4. 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 or “pure heroin” or 500g of cannabis, he or she may face the mandatory death penalty.

5. Deputy Assistant Commissioner Aaron Tang, Director of Intelligence Division, said of the operations:

“The two operations netted a large amount of drugs which could have flowed onto the streets feeding the addiction of a large number of drug abusers and luring new abusers into the downward spiral of drug abuse. Drug abuse is not victimless. Oftentimes, other than the abusers themselves, there are other victims, including their families and loved ones, who have to bear the destructive effects of drug abuse while drug syndicates profit off their misery. CNB is committed to keeping up the pressure against drug syndicates and traffickers and will continue to target them to prevent harm to individuals and society.”

6. Investigations into the drug activities of both suspects are ongoing.

CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
7 March 2024