81 arrested for drug offences in S'pore, more than S$105,000 worth of drugs seized

On August 17 to 21, Singapore authorities conducted an island-wide anti-drug operation, arresting a total of 81 suspected drug offenders. The operation took place across several areas, including Toa Payoh, Telok Blangah, and Punggol.

During the operation, narcotics officers seized approximately 529 grams of ice, 375 grams of heroin, 27 grams of cannabis, 10 grams of ketamine, 10 grams of ecstasy, and 11 Erimin-5 tablets. The value of the seized drugs is estimated to be over S$105,500. The heroin, ice, and cannabis could potentially sustain the addiction of around 484 users for a week.

On August 17, at approximately noon, Central Narcotics Bureau officers apprehended a 38-year-old Singaporean man at a residential complex near Punggol Field for alleged drug trafficking offenses. The officers then monitored him as he fled to his residence, forcibly breaking down the door since occupants resisted their lawful entry.

They found drug paraphernalia being discarded from the bedroom window. A search of the unit uncovered 439 grams of ice, 300 grams of heroin, 22 grams of cannabis, 9 grams of ketamine, 10 grams of ecstasy, and one Erimin-5 tablet.

Four more individuals were arrested for suspected drug trafficking later that day. These individuals were a 40-year-old foreign national, a 46-year-old Singaporean man, a 26-year-old Singaporean man, and a 36-year-old Singaporean woman. They were found with various quantities of ice, heroin, cannabis, ketamine, ecstasy, and an Erimin-5 tablet. Police also recovered a dagger, knuckledusters, katanas, and knives from the unit.

The Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) 1973 stipulates that trafficking over 15 grams of pure heroin or more than 250 grams of methamphetamine carries a mandatory death penalty. Authorities are currently investigating the drug activities of all arrested suspects.