CNB seizes S$2.3m worth of cannabis and heroin; 40kg haul largest in two decades

SINGAPORE — The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) has impounded more than 23.7kg of cannabis and 16.5kg of heroin estimated to be worth more than S$2.3 million in its latest drug bust last Friday (April 16).

This is the CNB's largest seizure of the drugs since the authorities confiscated 33.4kg of cannabis in 1996 and 34.8kg of heroin in 2001. 

A 22-year-old Malaysian man has been arrested over suspected drug trafficking offences.

Aside from cannabis, the operation netted about 2kg of crystalline methamphetamine — otherwise known as ice — and 110 Ecstasy tablets.

The drugs were enough to feed more than 12,000 abusers for a week, CNB said.

This is the second operation this year where CNB has impounded a substantial amount of drugs. 

In March, more than 35kg of drugs were seized in an operation that spanned two days. 

Three men were arrested at the time over suspected drug-related crimes. 

The drugs were worth nearly S$1.7 million and were enough to feed more than 10,000 abusers for a week.

Speaking to reporters at its headquarters on Monday, CNB declined to comment on whether the two cases are linked as investigations are ongoing. 

Superintendent Aaron Tang, director of CNB’s intelligence division, said that the arrest was following targeted information received by the bureau on the man’s activities. 

ONE ARRESTED

On Friday evening, the man was arrested in the vicinity of Choa Chu Kang Avenue 4, with four packets of cannabis weighing about 3.9kg found on him.

He was taken to his residence, a public housing unit in the same vicinity where officers found eight bundles of heroin weighing about 3.8kg, two bundles of ice weighing about 2kg and 110 ecstasy tablets in his bedroom. 

Another 27 bundles of heroin weighing about 12.8kg and 20 bundles of cannabis weighing about 19.8kg were seized from his storeroom.  

Assistant Commissioner Sng Chern Hong, the deputy director of policy and administration at CNB, said that the drug situation is of concern both internationally and regionally and Singapore is monitoring the situation very closely. 

Travel restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has also changed the way drug syndicates operate, he added. 

“We do see syndicates adopting different modus operandi. You would have noticed that last year, we have seen seizures or smuggling (of drugs) in fruits, even using drones. We have syndicates who will find ways to beat the system."

Supt Tang said that while Singapore is not a drug-producing country, it is surrounded by large-scale drug supply.

“So what’s important is that we maintain our vigilance at the borders together with our Home Team counterparts to ensure that the drugs do not come in. 

“If drugs indeed do come in, CNB and other Home Team agencies will be the second line of defence to ensure that these drugs do not flow into the streets.”

The Home Team cocnsists of several agencies including the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, the Singapore Police Force, the Singapore Civil Defence Force and the Internal Security Department.