Motorcyclist caught at Tuas Checkpoint after allegedly trying to smuggle kratom liquid into S’pore
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ICA officers found a bottle containing liquid suspected to be kratom in a man’s bag.
PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM ICA/FACEBOOK
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SINGAPORE – A 37-year-old motorcyclist was caught at Tuas Checkpoint after he allegedly attempted to smuggle liquid believed to be kratom, which contains drugs, into Singapore on Oct 14.
In a Facebook post on Oct 28, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said the Malaysian man said he had nothing to declare when he was directed by officers for further checks at the checkpoint.
However, ICA officers found a bottle containing liquid suspected to be kratom in the man’s bag.
Kratom contains mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which are both listed as Class A controlled drugs in Singapore. It is also known as “ketum”, “air ketum”, “ithang”, “biak biak”, “kakuam” or “thom”.
It can also come in the form of fresh leaves which are chewed directly or as dried leaves or powdered extract which are then boiled.
Those found guilty of importing Class A controlled drugs into Singapore may be sentenced to at least five years in jail and five strokes of the cane.
The case has been referred to the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) for further investigations, ICA said.
In response to The Straits Times’ queries, CNB confirmed on Oct 29 that its investigations are ongoing.
