CNB officers rescue toddler in care of drug traffickers
(Right) The one-year old toddler safely secured and sleeping prior to CNB officers handing him over to the care of the Child Protective Service of the Ministry of Social and Family Development. Photo: Central Narcotics Bureau
SINGAPORE — Anti-narcotics officers have rescued a one-year-old toddler and nabbed five suspected drug abusers and traffickers in a drug bust.
In a press statement on Wednesday (Feb 28), the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) said a 33-year-old Singaporean woman, who was suspected of trafficking drugs, was arrested at Kinta Road near Little India on Monday.
Officers found about 195g of heroin and 27g of ‘Ice’ in the woman’s bag. They later recovered 20 ‘Ecstacy’ tablets and a small amount of heroin and ‘Ice’ at her hideout in Roberts Lane.
The investigators then suspected the woman may have a baby “as there were messages in her cell phone that made references to a baby”.
“The female suspect denied this initially but later revealed that she was the caregiver of a one-year old male toddler, who was believed to be with two other suspected drug traffickers,” said the CNB.
CNB and the Singapore Police Force then mounted a follow-up operation to locate the two other suspected drug traffickers and the boy.
A 51-year-old Singaporean man was first nabbed in the vicinity of Joo Chiat Road on Tuesday. He had been seen with the boy before his arrest.
“With the toddler’s safety in mind, CNB officers moved in swiftly to secure him safely, while concurrently taking down the male suspected drug trafficker,” said the press statement.
Subsequently, a 38-year-old female suspected drug trafficker and another 41-year-old female suspected drug abuser were arrested within a hotel room in the same vicinity. A total of about 640g of heroin were recovered from within the room.
Another 34-year-old Singaporean man was arrested at his home in Rivervale Drive after subsequent investigations for drug trafficking offences. He had booked the hotel room.
The toddler has since been handed over to the care of the Child Protective Service of the Ministry of Social and Family Development.
“Efforts are currently underway to locate the biological mother of the toddler, who is also wanted for drug offences,” said the CNB.
Commenting on the case, Mr Sng Chern Hong, director of communications division at CNB, said: “This case clearly highlights the adverse consequences of drugs.”
“The toddler was abandoned by his biological mother and left in the care of a suspected drug trafficker. It was fortunate that our officers were successful in locating the toddler and prevented further harm from being caused to him.”
Investigations into the drug activities of all the suspects are ongoing. It is unclear whether the toddler was used for any suspected drug activities.
