SINGAPORE - Drug enforcement and police officers rescued a one-year-old boy from suspected drug traffickers after his caregiver had left him in their care.
Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) officers had found out about the boy after they picked up his caregiver, a 33-year-old Singaporean woman, around Kinta Road near Farrer Park MRT station on Monday (Feb 26).
She was suspected of trafficking drugs after being found to be carrying a bag containing about 195g of heroin and 27g of methamphetamine, or Ice. Another 20 Ecstasy tablets and a small amount of heroin and Ice was found in her hideout near Roberts Lane.
Officers suspected that she may have a baby as her phone messages made references to a baby. The woman initially denied this but later revealed that she was the caregiver of a one-year old male toddler.
According to a news release on Wednesday, CNB officers roped in the police to rescue the boy. In an operation on Tuesday, officers nabbed a 51-year- old man, who was suspected of trafficking drugs. He was spotted with the boy before his arrest.
Another two women, aged 38 and 41, were also arrested for drug related offences in relation to the case. They were arrested in a hotel room near Joo Chiat, where the man was arrested.
A second man, 34, who had booked the hotel room, was arrested in his home in Rivervale Drive. He is being investigated for drug trafficking offences.
The boy is now in the care of the Child Protective Service of the Ministry of Social and Family Development, the CNB spokesman said, adding that his birth was not registered.
Efforts are "currently underway to locate the biological mother of the toddler, who is also wanted for drug offences", he added.
About 640g of heroin - enough to feed the addiction of about 305 abusers for a week - was seized when officers raided the hotel room on Monday, the CNB release stated. The drugs were left in the open, the spokesman said.
All the suspects are Singaporeans.
Mr Sng Chern Hong, CNB's communications director, said that this case "clearly highlights the adverse consequences of drugs".
"It was fortunate that our officers were successful in locating the toddler and prevented further harm from being caused to him," he added.
Investigations are ongoing.
