CNB seizes S$1.4 million in drugs and arrests three Singaporeans in major Tengah raid

In a major anti-drug operation in Singapore’s Tengah estate, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) seized approximately S$1.4 million worth of drugs and arrested three Singaporean nationals.

The operation took place on 7 November, with CNB sharing details in a press release on 11 November. Among those detained were two men, aged 32 and 44, and a 31-year-old woman, all of whom were apprehended in a raid on a residential block in Plantation Crescent.

According to CNB, the arrest of the 32-year-old man occurred at the void deck of the block, where officers found him in possession of around 1,027 grams of cannabis and 513 grams of methamphetamine, commonly known as Ice.

Shortly after, a separate team of CNB officers raided a unit within the same block, where the 44-year-old man and 31-year-old woman were taken into custody.

The CNB’s search of the residence resulted in the seizure of various illegal substances, including 3,223 grams of cannabis, 7,626 grams of heroin, 2,339 grams of Ice, 235 grams of Ecstasy, five bottles of methadone, 2,590 Erimin-5 tablets, and cash totaling S$9,250.

In a follow-up operation, CNB officers searched a car driven by the 44-year-old suspect, leading to the recovery of an additional 95 grams of cannabis, 477 grams of heroin, 169 grams of Ice, and three bottles of methadone.

The CNB highlighted the substantial potential impact of the seizure. In a statement, they noted that the quantity of heroin, cannabis, and Ice alone could have supported the addiction of approximately 6,200 users over a single week.

The street value and volume of the substances indicate that they could have caused significant harm to individuals and families if circulated in Singapore’s illegal drug market.

Singapore’s anti-drug laws impose severe penalties for drug trafficking. The CNB reminded the public that trafficking in a controlled drug, whether personally or on behalf of another, constitutes a punishable offence.

This applies to those in Singapore and to those who direct such activities from abroad. Additionally, preparing to traffic or facilitating drug trafficking also carries criminal penalties.

Specifically, trafficking in amounts over 250 grams of Ice or 500 grams of cannabis mandates the death penalty upon conviction, reflecting Singapore’s strict stance against large-scale drug trafficking.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Aaron Tang, CNB’s director of intelligence, commended the efforts of CNB officers in halting this large drug supply.

“The efforts of the CNB officers in this operation had prevented a large haul of drugs from flowing into the streets, which if not stopped, would have impacted the lives of thousands of individuals,” he stated.

Highlighting the broad societal impact of illegal drugs, he added, “The harm and misery that drugs inflict on society is far-reaching. Drugs do not just affect an individual, they also destroy the lives of their families and loved ones. CNB will continue to hunt down these drug traffickers and neutralise them to stem the tide of drugs.”

The CNB underscored its commitment to dismantling drug networks in Singapore, noting that investigations into this case are ongoing.