CNB, ICA seize S$160k worth of drugs

SINGAPORE: Officers from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) have seized about 1.4kg of heroin from a Malaysian drug courier at Tuas Checkpoint.

CNB officers, in a follow—up operation, nabbed two local drug traffickers suspected to be responsible for the consignment and seized a further small amount of heroin and "Ice".

The drug seizure has an estimated street value of S$160,000.

A joint statement from CNB and ICA said on January 3 at about 7.20am, ICA officers stopped a 28—year—old male motorcyclist for thorough checks at the motorcycle arrival lane of Tuas checkpoint.

They detected a black bundle hidden below the headlight of the motorcycle and immediately notified CNB officers.

CNB officers conducted a further search of the Malaysian—registered motorcycle and found four more black bundles below the right and left fairings of the motorcycle. In all, the bundles were found to contain heroin of about 1.4kg.

The Malaysian was arrested.

A follow—up operation was conducted to round—up the recipients of the drug delivery. At about 2.30pm the same day, CNB officers arrested two male Singaporeans, aged 47 and 64, in a Singapore—registered car in the vicinity of Woodlands Street 32.

Another 85 straws of heroin weighing about 115 grammes, a small packet of "Ice", drug paraphernalia, more than S$5,000 cash, and two flick knives were recovered from the car.

The operation continued till the early hours of January 4, with one more packet of heroin weighing about eight grammes found in another car in the same vicinity.

The two flick knives were referred to police for further investigation.

The Police K9 unit was also deployed to search the three vehicles.

The Singaporeans are being investigated for drug trafficking while the Malaysian is being investigated for drug importation. If convicted, they may face the death penalty under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

—CNA/ac