SINGAPORE: Thirty-five suspected drug offenders were arrested in a series of raids targeted at transactions conducted through encrypted chat applications.
More than 11kg of drugs with an estimated street value of S$560,000 was seized in the nine-day operation from Apr 11 to Apr 19, covering areas such as Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang, Marsiling and Novena, said the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) in a news release on Thursday (Apr 20).
The haul comprises 9,529g of cannabis, 916g of Ice, 560g of ecstasy, 320g of ketamine, 450 Erimin-5 tablets, 77 lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) stamps, one bottle of GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) and 122g of substances believed to be controlled drugs.
On Apr 11, officers arrested a 42-year-old man suspected of drug trafficking at the void deck of a residential block in the Haig Road area.
About 783g of cannabis, 117g of Ice, 97g of ecstasy, 60 Erimin-5 tablets and 13 LSD stamps were seized at the void deck.
He was escorted to a residential unit where more drugs were found: 8,519g of cannabis, 766g of Ice, 461g of ecstasy, 320g of ketamine, 390 Erimin-5 tablets, 56 LSD stamps, 122g of substances believed to be controlled drugs, and various drug paraphernalia.
Controlled drugs including cannabis and Ice were seized in the vicinity of Haig Road in a CNB operation conducted on Apr 11, 2023. (Photo: CNB)
That afternoon, a 24-year-old woman was arrested for suspected drug offences in a residential unit near Compassvale Link. About 2.3g of cannabis and various drug paraphernalia were recovered from the unit.
A day later, an 18-year-old male student was arrested in a Choa Chu Kang Crescent residential unit, where about 2.8g of cannabis was recovered.
Investigations into the drug activities of all those arrested are ongoing.
Cannabis and drug paraphernalia were recovered in the vicinity of Compassvale Link by CNB on Apr 18, 2023. (Photo: CNB)
Deputy Director of CNB’s Intelligence Division, Superintendent Stanley Seah said: “The use of chat applications that allow for encrypted communication, such as Telegram, has become increasingly popular among drug offenders to buy and sell illicit drugs.
"Many of these drug offenders think that such chat applications would enable them to transact anonymously. They cannot be more wrong."
CNB has observed this phenomenon as early as 2019 and has since arrested more than 500 drug offenders who took part in illegal online drug transactions, he added.
"Our officers will continue to monitor emerging trends and evasive tactics, and launch well-timed operations to take down drug offenders,” he said.
Those found guilty of trafficking more than 250g of methamphetamine or 500g of cannabis may face the mandatory death penalty.
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More than 11kg of drugs with an estimated street value of S$560,000 was seized in the nine-day operation from Apr 11 to Apr 19, covering areas such as Ang Mo Kio, Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang, Marsiling and Novena, said the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) in a news release on Thursday (Apr 20).
The haul comprises 9,529g of cannabis, 916g of Ice, 560g of ecstasy, 320g of ketamine, 450 Erimin-5 tablets, 77 lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) stamps, one bottle of GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) and 122g of substances believed to be controlled drugs.
On Apr 11, officers arrested a 42-year-old man suspected of drug trafficking at the void deck of a residential block in the Haig Road area.
About 783g of cannabis, 117g of Ice, 97g of ecstasy, 60 Erimin-5 tablets and 13 LSD stamps were seized at the void deck.
He was escorted to a residential unit where more drugs were found: 8,519g of cannabis, 766g of Ice, 461g of ecstasy, 320g of ketamine, 390 Erimin-5 tablets, 56 LSD stamps, 122g of substances believed to be controlled drugs, and various drug paraphernalia.
Controlled drugs including cannabis and Ice were seized in the vicinity of Haig Road in a CNB operation conducted on Apr 11, 2023. (Photo: CNB)
That afternoon, a 24-year-old woman was arrested for suspected drug offences in a residential unit near Compassvale Link. About 2.3g of cannabis and various drug paraphernalia were recovered from the unit.
A day later, an 18-year-old male student was arrested in a Choa Chu Kang Crescent residential unit, where about 2.8g of cannabis was recovered.
Investigations into the drug activities of all those arrested are ongoing.
Cannabis and drug paraphernalia were recovered in the vicinity of Compassvale Link by CNB on Apr 18, 2023. (Photo: CNB)
Deputy Director of CNB’s Intelligence Division, Superintendent Stanley Seah said: “The use of chat applications that allow for encrypted communication, such as Telegram, has become increasingly popular among drug offenders to buy and sell illicit drugs.
"Many of these drug offenders think that such chat applications would enable them to transact anonymously. They cannot be more wrong."
CNB has observed this phenomenon as early as 2019 and has since arrested more than 500 drug offenders who took part in illegal online drug transactions, he added.
"Our officers will continue to monitor emerging trends and evasive tactics, and launch well-timed operations to take down drug offenders,” he said.
Those found guilty of trafficking more than 250g of methamphetamine or 500g of cannabis may face the mandatory death penalty.
Continue reading...