More drug abusers arrested, S$18m worth of drugs seized in 2012

SINGAPORE: Anti—drug officers arrested more drug abusers and seized more drugs in 2012, due to intensified enforcement efforts. The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) said on Monday that the number of people arrested for drug abuse rose by five per cent to 3,481, compared with 3,326 in 2011.

The majority of abusers caught (69 per cent or 2,397) are repeat abusers. This represents a nine per cent increase from the number of repeat abusers caught in 2011.

The number of new abusers arrested dropped by four per cent to 1,084. CNB said this remains a concern as 67 per cent of the new abusers arrested are 29 years old and below.

Heroin and methamphetamine remain the most commonly abused drugs —— about 93 per cent of all drug abusers arrested abused either heroin or methamphetamine.

In 2012, CNB conducted 49 major operations and dismantled 22 drug syndicates.

The intensive all—round enforcement efforts saw a record seizure of drugs. The estimated street value amounted to S$18.3 million, which is 14 per cent higher than the estimated S$16 million worth of drugs seized in 2011.

In particular, CNB seized a record 50.8kg of "ice", of which about 85 per cent was not meant for the local market.

The CNB expressed concern regarding the worsening regional drug situation, saying production continued to set record highs while international syndicates made inroads into the region. It will continue to target and disrupt the supply and demand sides of the drug scourge.

—CNA/ac