Authorities make largest drug haul of the year on New Year's Eve

SINGAPORE - Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers recovered nearly 9.3kg of heroin on New Year's Eve morning, making it the largest drug haul of the year.

A routine check was conducted on a Malaysian-registered vehicle at the Woodlands Checkpoint at 7.30am. The car was driven by a 28-year-old Malaysian male.

ICA officers recovered packets of brown substance under the rear passenger seat of the car.

Officers from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) were immediately alerted and a total of 20 packets of heroin, worth more than $649,000, were seized.

A 27-year-old male Malaysian was arrested at Woodlands Town Garden following immediate follow-up investigations conducted by CNB officers.

Investigations on both men are ongoing. If convicted, they may face the death penalty.

klim@sph.com.sg