4 arrested after 2.2kg of heroin seized, 2 may face death penalty

SINGAPORE - About 2.2kg of heroin, estimated to be worth more than $154,000, was seized from a suspected drug trafficker on Wednesday evening by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB).

CNB said the suspected drug trafficker, a 38-year-old male Singaporean, was arrested at Tampines North. He was believed to be waiting for a fresh consignment of drugs.

At about 8.10pm, CNB officers spotted a male, who was carrying a green bag, meeting up with the suspected drug trafficker inside a commercial building in the area.

Both men were observed together within the building, where they proceeded to a side staircase of the building.

At about 8.35pm, the male left the area in a taxi, without the green bag. CNB officers continued to track him.

At about 9.20pm, the suspected trafficker left the side staircase with the green bag. He was arrested shortly after.

About 1.4kg of heroin was found in the bag. A further search of the man's locker at the commercial building recovered another 0.8kg of heroin, along with drug paraphernalia and cash amounting to $6,400.

Meanwhile, the other male, a 27-year-old Malaysian, was stopped at Woodlands Checkpoint when he was attempting to leave Singapore.

Cash amounting to $8,000 was recovered from him and his 26-year-old Malaysian travelling companion.

In a follow-up investigation, CNB officers arrested another 27-year-old Singaporean male in Simei. Investigation into the three male suspects and one female are currently ongoing.

If convicted, the 38-year-old Singaporean male and the 27-year-old Malaysian male may face the death penalty.

klim@sph.com.sg