ACTING on a tip-off, drug enforcement officers busted a drug syndicate on Thursday and prevented nearly $1 million of highly addictive heroin hitting the streets.

Five syndicate members and four drug users were arrested in the operation that also saw three cars and cash of $6,800 being seized.

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) said in a statement on Friday that after it got wind that the syndicate would be receiving a large consignment of heroin from overseas, officers kept watch on the syndicate members and their hideouts.

The delivery took place at the lift lobby of Block 485B in Tampines Street 45 in the afternoon.

Minutes later, officers moved in and arrested the courier, a 25-year-old Singaporean, as he walked to his blue Honda Civic car.

A search of his flat in the same block uncovered 500g of heroin and cash amounting to more than $1,200.

The 32-year-old man, who collected the drug, and his two accomplices, aged 26 and 32, were stopped along Tampines Avenue 7 and 4.2kg of heroin was found in a detergent box in the black Subaru Impreza car. Cash of about $2,100 was also found on them.

At about 4pm, the 31-year-old syndicate leader was taken in after officers found 80g of heroin and $200 in the glove compartment of his Honda Civic.

In a follow-up operation, four drug users were arrested with 45g of heroin, 10g of Ice and 15 Subutex tablets, and more than $3,200 in cash.

CNB said that the courier would be investigated for importing the drug while the syndicate leader and his three accomplices will be questioned for drug trafficking.

All five men face the death penalty if convicted.

The 4.8kg haul is the third largest this year.

In February, CNB seized 10kg of heroin and arrested six men and two women, and in June, five men were nabbed with 5.3kg of heroin.