CNB, ICA seize 6.7kg of Ice worth over S$1.3m; two women arrested

SINGAPORE: The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) have foiled two attempts by a West African syndicate to traffic about 6.7 kilogrammes of Ice worth over S$1.3 million.

This is the second largest Ice seizure since November 2011.

In the first case, CNB and ICA officers arrested a 22—year—old Indonesian female as she was about to depart Singapore by bus at Tuas Checkpoint.

CNB officers searched her luggage and recovered 2.9kg of Ice wrapped in a bag sandwiched in between two wooden panels. The street value of the drugs was worth about S$580,000.

In the second operation, a CNB officer stopped a 40—year—old female Ghanaian at Changi Airport’s Arrival Hall for a routine check. Her luggage was screened and ICA officers detected anomalies in some of the items packed inside her luggage.

CNB officers examined the contents of the luggage closely and found four round blocks of Ice compressed in two sealed food tin cans.

Another 11 bundles of Ice were found hidden in two DVD players and a power adapter. More bundles of Ice were found taped and hidden inside two pairs of shoes in the luggage.

The drugs seized had a street value of more than S$770,000.

Investigations against both women are ongoing. If convicted, they may face the death penalty.

Director CNB Ng Ser Song said that CNB is aware that the West African drug syndicates remain active in the region.

Mr Ng stressed that CNB will not tolerate any syndicate choosing to leverage on Singapore’s excellent transport connectivity to further their criminal activities here.

He said CNB will bring the full force of the law against them swiftly and firmly.

CNB said Singaporeans should not allow themselves to be made use of by foreign drug syndicates and should reject any suspicious offer of free travel or paid holidays.

— CNA/de