Islandwide drug busts net 113 offenders, drugs worth $185,000

A four day islandwide operations by the Central Narcotics Bureau, police and officers from the Volunteer Special Constabulary, ended on Friday morning with the arrests of 113 suspected drug offenders and seized drugs worth about $185,000.

The raids were conducted in various areas across the island, including Ang Mo Kio, Yishun, Woodlands and Choa Chu Kang. Drugs seized included about 1.4kg of heroin, 725g cannabis, 37g of 'Ice', 428 'Erimin-5' tablets and 107 Ecstasy tablets.

In a series of operations in eastern Singapore, police officers who were on anti-crime rounds in the vicinity of Joo Chiat Road pursued a 36-year-old man who tried to flee as officers approached. After a short chase, he was arrested and about 160g of heroin, a digital weighing scale, some empty plastic sachets and more than S$1,300 in cash were seized from him. CNB officers also found another 30g of heroin concealed in his underwear.

Follow-up investigations netted another six suspects: a 33-year-old man believed to be the drug supplier, a 35-year-old man suspected of trafficking, a 27-year-old man believed to have delivered the drugs, a 23-year-old Malaysian courier, and two suspected drug abusers. More than 1kg of heroin, over 50g of cannabis, 21g Ice, and more than S$6,000 in cash were seized in total.

In another set of raids that began in a HDB unit in Yishun Avenue 6 on the morning of 7 January, 10 suspected drug offenders were arrested and drugs ranging from heroin, Ice, Ketamine, and 'Erimin-5' tablets were recovered. A 41-year-old man is being investigated for drug trafficking, while the other nine for consumption.

If convicted of drug trafficking, the suspect faces a minimum of five years' imprisonment and five strokes of the cane. CNB said investigations are ongoing for all suspects.

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