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More drug abusers arrested in 2018 as meth trafficking reaches 'alarming' levels: CNB

SINGAPORE — The number of drug abusers arrested rose last year, a significant proportion of whom were new abusers under 30, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) said on Monday (Feb 25).

A drug raid conducted by CNB officers. The number of drug abusers arrested last year rose 11 per cent to 3,438 from the previous year.

A drug raid conducted by CNB officers. The number of drug abusers arrested last year rose 11 per cent to 3,438 from the previous year.

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SINGAPORE — The number of drug abusers arrested rose last year, a significant proportion of whom were new abusers under 30, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) said on Monday (Feb 25).

The number of drug abusers arrested last year rose 11 per cent to 3,438 from the previous year.

Among these, 40 per cent, or 1,366, were new abusers. And among the new abusers arrested, 64 per cent were under 30 years old.

These numbers come amid “a challenging backdrop”, as the global and regional drug situations remain worrying, the CNB said in a statement.

“Notably, the production and trafficking of methamphetamine have increased to alarming levels, and the market for new psychoactive substances (NPS) continues to evolve,” it said.

“There is also a push in some countries for alternative, liberal drug policies.”

DRUG ABUSE ARRESTS IN 2018

Increase in drug abusers arrested:

  • 3,438 drug abusers were arrested in 2018, up 11 per cent from 2017. This can be attributed to the hike in NPS and methamphetamine abusers, said CNB.

  • 2,072 were repeat offenders, up 12 per cent from 2017

  • 1,366 were new abusers, up 9 per cent from 2017

Amount of drugs seized in 2018:

  • The total amount of drugs seized in 2018 was estimated have a street value of S$6.65 million.

  • Heroin: Up 47 per cent to 54.18kg

  • Cannabis: Up 40 per cent to 61.78kg

  • Crystalline methamphetamine, or “ice”: Down 13 per cent to 19.33kg

Methamphetamine, heroin and NPS were the three most commonly abused drugs:

About 93 per cent of those arrested abused at least one of these three drugs:

  • 62 per cent abused methamphetamine

  • 20 per cent abused heroin

  • 10 per cent abused NPS

  • The rest were caught for abusing cannabis, ecstasy and other drugs, such as cocaine, dihydrocodeine, ketamine and nimetazepam

  • 14 per cent of all arrested were poly-drug abusers who abused more than one type of drug

PRIME TARGET FOR TRAFFICKING

Given its close proximity to large-scale drug production regions, Singapore is at high risk of being a target for drug trafficking syndicates, said CNB.

In the 2018 World Drug Report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Southeast Asia was named one of the world’s largest methamphetamine markets, as well as the second largest opium and heroin market, it noted.

Particularly, methamphetamine production and trafficking in the region rose to an all-time high in 2018.

The UNODC also reported that seizures of ice in East and Southeast Asia almost tripled from 2013 to 2016, reaching 30 tonnes, and that the production of NPS in the Mekong Region and Myanmar has reached “alarming levels”.

Given the transnational nature of drug trafficking, cross-border collaborations are crucial, the CNB said, adding that it conducted 19 joint operations with international counterparts last year.

FIGHTING DRUGS AT HOME

The CNB highlighted its enforcement efforts to curb supply and demand last year:

  • 19 islandwide operations together with the Singapore Police Force and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority

  • 1,575 operations at checkpoints to intercept smuggling attempts

  • 26 drug syndicates busted in all

The laws have also been enhanced to step up the fight against drugs, the CNB noted.

Among other things, the amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act criminalise contaminative acts that facilitate or promote drug use, as well as acts of endangerment, such as exposing a child to drugs or drug paraphernalia, or permitting a young person to abuse drugs.

The amendments also strengthen the rehabilitation regime for drug abusers, to provide better support in breaking the addiction cycle and reintegrating them into society.

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