In the evening hours of 16 July 2019, in a concerted effort at multiple locations, officers from the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) arrested a total of 24 suspected drug offenders aged between 24 and 60, some of whom were suspected to be involved in distributing sizeable quantities of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in the Geylang area.
2 Shortly after 8pm of 16 July, a party of CNB officers swooped in onto the vicinity of Geylang Lorong 10 and arrested a total of 19 suspected drug offenders. Among the 19 suspects arrested were two Singaporean male suspected drug traffickers aged 38 and 49. Officers also recovered about 1,804g of vegetable matter containing NPS.
Photo-1 (CNB): Suspected drug offenders arrested in CNB operation in the vicinity of Geylang Lorong 10 on 16 July 2019.
Photo-2 (CNB): Suspected drug offenders arrested in CNB operation in the vicinity of Geylang Lorong 10 on 16 July 2019.
Photo-3 (CNB): Suspected drug offenders arrested in CNB operation in the vicinity of Geylang Lorong 10 on 16 July 2019.
Photo-4 (CNB): NPS in “Butterfly” tobacco product packaging, seized from the rear box of a bicycle in CNB operation on 16 July 2019.
3 Concurrently, another party of CNB officers raided a unit in the vicinity of Cassia Crescent. CNB officers arrested a 54-year-old Singaporean male suspected drug trafficker and a 33-year-old Singaporean female suspected drug abuser within the unit and recovered a total of about 78g of vegetable matter containing NPS, 104g of powder containing NPS, a bottle of acetone and two bottles of acetone mixed with NPS powder.
4 A further three suspects were subsequently arrested at two different locations – a 46-year-old at the vicinity of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 and a 42-year-old and 46-year-old in the vicinity of Odeon Katong. All three are Singaporean males and are suspected to be associated with the 54-year-old male arrested at Cassia Crescent.
Photo-5 (CNB): NPS powder & NPS in “Butterfly” tobacco product packaging, seized in CNB operation on 16 July 2019.
5 Investigations into the drug activities of the suspects are ongoing. CNB maintains a zero-tolerance stance towards drugs and will not hesitate to take action against NPS activities. NPS, also known colloquially as ‘mushroom’, are substances that mimic the effects of other Class A controlled drugs, such as cannabis, cocaine and ‘Ecstasy’, and are produced by introducing slight modifications to the chemical structures of controlled drugs. Their abuse has been linked to adverse physical and psychological reactions, including paranoia, seizures, hallucinations and even death.
6 The consumption, possession, trafficking, import or export of any controlled drugs is an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Any person found guilty of trafficking Class A controlled drugs will face a minimum of five years’ imprisonment and five strokes of the cane. They will also be liable for enhanced penalties if they re-offend or sell to young or vulnerable persons.
CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
18 JULY 2019
