CNB part of multilateral sting that seized 110kg of Ice from global drug syndicate
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A drug-laden parcel, among parcels bound for New Zealand that were found to contain more than 10kg of Ice.
PHOTO: CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
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SINGAPORE - Almost 110kg of methamphetamine was seized in a five-country operation to disrupt a transnational drug trafficking syndicate.
The drugs, also known as Ice, are believed to have come from Mexico, and were imported into the United States for delivery to more lucrative markets in the Asia-Pacific region, according to a joint statement by seven enforcement agencies from the five countries on Sept 22.
The anti-drug bust was the result of cooperation and intelligence sharing by these agencies from the US, Singapore, Brunei, New Zealand and Australia, said the statement.
In April, Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) intercepted and seized parcels containing more than 10kg of Ice, following a tip-off. The parcels were believed to have come from the US and were bound for New Zealand via Singapore, with CNB also identifying similar parcels bound for New Zealand and Australia.
With CNB’s information, New Zealand Customs Service then intercepted two parcels in April and June and seized a total of 10kg of Ice, which would have had a local street value of about NZ$3 million (S$2.3 million).
The Australian authorities also seized a total of 40kg of Ice from multiple consignments bound for the country in May. This followed intelligence sharing with the Australian Federal Police and Australian Border Force. The drugs would have had an estimated local street value of A$37 million (S$31 million) and the equivalent of 400,000 individual street deals, according to the statement.
The drugs seized in Australia were hidden in furniture, mixed coffee and mustard shipments.
Before the busts in the three countries, the Narcotics Control Bureau of Brunei seized a total of 49kg of Ice in a six-month operation from November 2024 to April 2025, the statement said.
The drugs were bound for the Middle East, Europe, East Asia and Australasia.
The statement added that the drugs seized in Brunei were packed similarly as the parcels seized in Singapore and New Zealand, and are believed to be from the same syndicate. The drugs were concealed within electronic devices and delivered using courier and virtual office services, the statement said.
The syndicate is being investigated in the US, according to the joint statement.
In the statement, CNB deputy director for operations Aaron Tang said: “Drug syndicates that attempt to exploit Singapore’s infrastructure and connectivity as a major trans-shipment and logistics hub will not find us to be a safe haven nor safe route for their illegal activities.
“This operation should be a clear and unequivocal message that we will not tolerate it. CNB will continue to work closely with our international partners to detect, disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking networks.”
Mr John Scott, the Special Agent in Charge of the US Drug Enforcement Administration’s Asia-Pacific Division, said the agency will continue to work with international partners to battle the expansion of Mexican cartels, such as Sinaloa and CJNG, into the Asia-Pacific region.
