CNB seizes 8.8kg of heroin; largest haul in 3 years

SINGAPORE – The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) arrested three men and seized more than 8.8kg of heroin, along with other drugs, with a total estimated street value of S$666,000.

The heroin seizure is the largest single haul in the past three years and investigations are ongoing, the bureau said on Saturday (Jan 27).

On Friday afternoon, CNB officers were at HabourFront Centre observing two suspected drug traffickers. The men, a 32-year-old Singaporean and a 35-year-old Malaysian, were spotted entering a toilet at HabourFront Tower 2.  Both were later seen leaving the toilet separately. The Singaporean had gone back to his car, while the Malaysian returned to his workplace at the same building.

The CNB said its officers tailed the vehicle driven by the 32-year-old and arrested him at an “opportune moment”, along with another 39-year-old Singaporean who had gotten into the car before it was stopped.

About 2.2kg of heroin, 460g of Ice and 70 Erimin-5 tablets were found in the car, along with a digital weighing scale and empty plastic packets.

The Malaysian was arrested at his workplace by another group of officers. The suspect led the officers to his nearby motorcycle where he kept a total of 6.6kg of heroin which was packed in different bundles.

The Misuse of Drugs Act provides for the death penalty if the amount of diamorphine (or pure heroin) trafficked exceeds 15g — an amount which is equivalent to 1,250 straws, sufficient to feed the addiction of about 180 abusers for a week, CNB said.