CNB arrests suspected drug syndicate chief and seizes 3kg of heroin in sting

A car that was seized in a CNB operation on Thursday, July 24, 2014. -- PHOTO: CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
A car that was seized in a CNB operation on Thursday, July 24, 2014. -- PHOTO: CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
Heroin and Ice seized in a CNB operation on Thursday, July 24, 2014. -- PHOTO: CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU

SINGAPORE - Anti-drug officers seized 3kg of heroin and 215g of Ice with a total street value of more than $353,000 in a sting operation on Thursday.

Six suspects were also arrested during the operation.

They included a 41-year-old Singaporean man who is purportedly the chief of a drug syndicate "actively" distributing heroin obtained from a neighbouring country, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) said in a statement on Friday.

On Thursday afternoon, CNB officers nabbed two Malaysian men aged 21 and 33 in a taxi in Woodlands, recovering 2,330g of heroin from under the front passenger seat. Some $15,000 in cash was also seized from one of the men.

In a concurrent raid, CNB officers - working in tandem with the police - nabbed a 34-year-old Singaporean man suspected of drug trafficking. He was caught while driving along the Ayer Rajah Expressway.

The purported chief of the syndicate was arrested later at a Housing Board flat in Admiralty. Two other Singaporeans - a 21-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman - were arrested there and are being investigated for drug consumption.

The officers were later taken to the syndicates hideout in Geylang, where another 710g of heroin and 215g of Ice were seized.

The other four men are being investigated for drug trafficking and face the death penalty if convicted. Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, offenders found to have trafficked more than 15g of pure heroin will face the gallows. This amount is equivalent to 1,250 straws - sufficient to feed the addiction of about 180 abusers for a week.

CNB director Ng Ser Song said the anti-drug bureau will not let up on its enforcement efforts to clamp down on drugs. He said: "The operation is a testament of the Home Team's close cooperation and our commitment to keep the streets of Singapore safe from drugs ... CNB will continue to intensify our enforcement efforts and we will not hesitate to take firm action against drug offenders."

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