$158,000 worth of drugs seized, 5 suspects arrested

SINGAPORE - A total of $158,000 worth of drugs were seized and five suspects were arrested on Tuesday (Nov 17) during a raid by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB).

CNB officers conducting an observation near Kembangan MRT station spotted a 57-year-old suspected Singaporean drug trafficker boarding the car of a 34-year-old suspected Malaysian drug courier.

CNB officers then followed the car and arrested the suspected drug trafficker when he was observed to be holding on to a paper bag. CNB recovered about 1,360g of heroin and 1,000g of cannabis. A search of the man also recovered another haul of about 120g of cannabis, 146 'Ecstasy' tablets, 200g of heroin, nine Erimin-5 tablets, a small amount of 'Ice' and about $2,600 in cash.

CNB officers proceeded to raid the 57-year-old male's hideout, a unit in a private apartment in the vicinity of Siglap Road.

A 35-year-old female Singaporean suspected drug abuser was arrested in the flat and about 5g of 'Ice' was recovered. Officers also recovered about 110g of ketamine and some methadone from within the unit.

The Malaysian was also arrested after he alighted from the car at a Jurong shopping mall. Officers recovered more than $5,000 and some ringgit from him.

CNB tracked down and arrested a 28-year-old male Singaporean, the suspected drug syndicate leader, in Tampines. His associate, a 25-year-old female Singaporean, was also arrested.

According to CNB, the Misuse of Drugs Act provides for the death penalty if the amount of 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. Those convicted of trafficking in more than 500g of cannabis may face the death penalty.

Investigations on all the suspects are ongoing.

debwong@sph.com.sg