Drug trafficking syndicate dismantled after 2-year investigation

SINGAPORE — A suspected Singaporean drug syndicate leader and his drug associates were nabbed in Johor Bahru, Malaysia on Wednesday (Feb 4), following a two-year investigation to dismantle a drug trafficking syndicate based in Malaysia.

The syndicate is believed to have been coordinating a drug supply chain, supplying mainly heroin and ‘Ice’ to Singaporean drug traffickers. Other drugs trafficked by the syndicate included ‘Ecstasy’, ketamine, Erimin-5 and cannabis.

The investigation was conducted by Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) and the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) of the Royal Malaysian Police.

CNB said in its news release today that the syndicate is believed to be capable of supplying about 4.5kg of heroin, about 500g of “Ice”, about 1kg of cannabis and other controlled drugs into Singapore each week. The heroin and “Ice” supplied could feed the addiction of about 2,100 heroin addicts and 280 “Ice” addicts each week.

After the arrests on Wednesday, NCID officers raided the 46-year-old Singaporean suspect’s “drug store” and residence in Malaysia — he was wanted by local authorities and was hiding in Malaysia — and seized a total of about 580g of heroin, 370g of ‘Ice’, 350g of ketamine, 150 ‘Ecstasy’ tablets, 4,450 Erimin-5 tablets and cash of RM48,280 (S$18,300).

CNB started investigations into the trafficking activities of the syndicate in December 2012, and had launched, in total, 14 operations to disrupt the syndicate’s drug trafficking activities. A total of 40 drug offenders were arrested and about 8kg of heroin, about 1.7kg of “Ice”, about 1.9kg of cannabis and other drugs were seized.

CNB director Ng Ser Song said: “The successful conclusion of the protracted investigation against this drug syndicate is a result of the firm resolve and commitment of CNB and NCID to take down drug syndicates.”