SINGAPORE - The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) and the Malaysian authorities have busted a regional drug syndicate and arrested 14 suspected members, including six Singaporeans.
In a statement on Sunday (Feb 25), CNB said that joint investigations with the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) of the Royal Malaysian Police began in January (2018).
The suspected drug syndicate was believed to be supplying drugs in Malaysia and countries in the region.
Several of the syndicate members were believed to be Singaporeans engaged in drug activities in Malaysia, the statement said.
On Friday (Feb 23), NCID received intelligence that the syndicate was planning a drug run and mounted an operation.
CNB and NCID had worked closely together to uncover the syndicate's network and their modus operandi.
Officers seized about 12.8kg of Ice, 955g of ketamine, 4,333 Ecstasy tablets, 200 Erimin-5 tablets, cash of $8,000 and RM5,000 (S$1,680) and five cars.
In total, seven Malaysians, six Singaporeans and one Thai national were arrested.
The six Singaporeans, comprising five males and a female, were aged between 30 and 65.
In the statement, CNB director Ng Ser Song congratulated NCID director Datuk Seri Mohmad Salleh and NCID officers on their success in neutralising the drug trafficking syndicate.
"It is important that drug enforcement agencies cooperate closely to take out drug syndicates that operate with no respect for borders," he said.
"Through close and timely cooperation, we can take the fight to the drug syndicates."
Investigations by NCID are ongoing.
If convicted of drug trafficking, the six Singaporeans may face the death penalty.