103 drug offenders arrested, $85,000 worth of drugs seized in island-wide drug bust

SINGAPORE - Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) officers arrested a total of 103 suspected drug offenders in an island-wide operation from Dec 8 to Dec 12.

They also seized drugs worth more than $85,000, which included about 1kg of heroin, 18 grams of 'Ice', 9 Erimin-5 tablets, 25 Ecstasy tablets, 290 grams of cannabis and a small amount of ketamine.

The operation was conducted in Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Balestier, Boon Lay, Bukit Batok, Changi, Choa Chu Kang, Jalan Bukit Merah, Jurong West, Punggol and Woodlands.

Officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) supported the operation.

CNB, SPF and ICA officers also conducted a joint nightspot operation in Geylang targeting illicit activities on Dec 11. Investigations into the illicit activities of those arrested are on-going.

On Dec 8, in one of the operations at Jalan Bukit Merah, CNB officers arrested six drug offenders and seized drugs including about 290 grams of cannabis, 6 Ecstasy tablets and small amounts of 'Ice' and heroin. Drug paraphernalia was also seized.

In another operation on Dec 11, a 26-year-old motorcyclist and his 37-year-old pillion rider were stopped for checks at the Woodlands Checkpoint while travelling into Singapore. CNB officers found two bundles of heroin weighing about 950 grams hidden in the rear seat cavity of the Malaysian-registered motorcycle and arrested both men.

Investigations are on-going.

If found guilty of trafficking more than 15g of diamorphine (or pure heroin), the suspects will face the death penalty.

CNB added that the amount of heroin seized in this operation is enough to sustain the addiction of around 480 drug abusers for a week.

minlee@sph.com.sg