Over 11kg of drugs worth S$560,000 seized in raids, 35 people arrested
The nine-day operation was targeted at drug transactions conducted through encrypted chat applications, said the Central Narcotics Bureau.
A phone conversation between a drug client and a supplier on Telegram was uncovered during CNB operations targeted at drug transactions on encrypted chat applications. (Photo: CNB)
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 (US$420,000) 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.
In a screenshot of a Telegram conversation provided by CNB, a purported buyer sent two messages - "Hi can I get a top up?" and "Tonight deliver?" - to his supplier.
This was followed by a "Received" text more than 10 hours after the first message.
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.
A 24-year-old woman was arrested on Apr 18 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.
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.
