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CNB busts major drug trafficking syndicate
Posted: 19 January 2012 1523 hrs
SINGAPORE: Anti-narcotic officers have busted a major drug trafficking syndicate, with the seizure of a sizeable stockpile of heroin meant for the coming festive holidays.
They seized about 3.4 kilogrammes of heroin, 1 kg of ketamine and 5,000 Erimin-5 tablets during the five-day operation which started on 14 January.
The drugs have a total value of about S$590,000.
The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) said that on Wednesday, its officers conducted investigations into the syndicate which had sought to stock sizeable amounts of heroin to take advantage of the coming Lunar New Year holidays.
It said the syndicate is suspected to be distributing heroin over various parts of Singapore.
At about 2pm, two suspected drug traffickers - both male Singaporeans aged 36 years and 53 years - were spotted in a silver-coloured car in Ang Mo Kio.
CNB officers tailed them to Serangoon North. The 53-year-old suspect was seen alighting with a black sling bag at the entrance of a carpark.
When the officers moved in to arrest him, he tried to flee but was caught after a short chase.
One big bundle wrapped in black tape was found in the sling bag. This was later found to contain about 920 grammes of heroin, estimated to be worth S$138,000.
CNB officers also arrested the 36-year-old suspect at another part of the carpark. The suspect struggled violently and resisted arrest but he was eventually subdued by the officers.
Cash amounting to about S$6,580 was also recovered from the two suspects. They will be investigated for drug trafficking and may face the death penalty if convicted.
Earlier, on 14 January, CNB officers arrested another male Singaporean who is a suspected member of the same syndicate and is believed to be distributing large amounts of heroin.
He had about 2,440 grammes of heroin with him, worth about S$366,000. He is being remanded for further investigation. If convicted, he may face the death penalty.
Separately, CNB officers also seized a large haul of ketamine and Erimin-5 at Woodlands Checkpoint
On Tuesday evening, a male Singaporean driving a Singapore-registered car was stopped as part of a routine search by enforcement agencies stationed at the Woodlands Checkpoint.
CNB officers, who conducted a routine questioning of the driver, noticed that he appeared nervous.
They then thoroughly searched the vehicle and recovered about 5,000 Erimin-5 tablets hidden underneath a cushioned seat cover on the front passenger seat. About 1 kg of ketamine was recovered from the rear pocket of the front passenger seat.
The drugs seized were estimated to be worth almost S$85,000.
The suspect is being investigated for importing controlled drugs. If convicted, he may face a maximum of 30 years in jail, or life imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane.
CNB said that in the run-up to a long-weekend of festive celebrations, it would continue with its intensive enforcement efforts to keep Singapore safe from illicit drugs.
- CNA/al
