SINGAPORE - A man believed to have been involved in the supply of "sizeable" quantities of heroin to drug traffickers here was arrested in Malaysia last Friday (Dec 2).

Malaysia's Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID), which conducted the operation, arrested the 30-year-old Johor-based Malaysian and 14 of his associates.

About 27kg of heroin and RM$290,000 (S$92,260) in cash were also seized.

The operation was a result of close co-operation between NCID and Singapore's Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB).

CNB conducted two operations on Thursday (Dec 1) and Friday (Dec 2), in conjunction with the action by the NCID.

Three Singaporean drug traffickers - thought to have received drugs from the Malaysian man - were arrested

About 3kg of heroin and 450g of cannabis was seized.

The drugs are estimated to be worth more than $225,000.

CNB director Ng Ser Song said he was grateful to NCID for helping to nab "a very elusive drug supplier who was involved in the supplying of sizeable amount of drugs to Singapore".

Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, traffickers face the death penalty if the amount of diamorphine (pure heroin) trafficked exceeds 15g - the equivalent of 1,250 straws, enough to feed about 180 abusers for a week.