In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) of Singapore arrested three men in separate operations on 14 August 2024. The raiding operations also uncovered substantial quantities of illicit drugs, raising serious concerns about the exposure of children to such hazardous environments.
Details of the Arrests
- A 36-year-old man was apprehended at a residential unit near Bukit Batok West Avenue 9. The raid revealed approximately 892g of methamphetamine, colloquially known as Ice, and 100 tablets of nimetazepam, or Erimin-5. Notably, his wife and four young children, aged between one and eight, were present during the operation.
- Simultaneously, a 41-year-old man was arrested at a location near Jalan Kayu, with officers seizing around 158g of Ice and 9g of MDMA, or Ecstasy.
- Earlier that day, a 42-year-old man was detained at his home near Tampines Street 86. Drug paraphernalia was found under the coffee table in his living room, where his 10-year-old daughter was also present.
Community Implications
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Chang Gim Fook highlighted the CNB’s commitment to maintaining community safety. “We take seriously any situation where individuals, especially children, are exposed to drugs and subjected to unsafe environments,” he stated.
Incredibly, under Singapore’s Misuse of Drugs Act, anyone convicted of trafficking over 250g of methamphetamine could face the mandatory death penalty. This harsh law underscores the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards drug offences.
The CNB’s operations are ongoing, and members of the public are urged to remain vigilant. Keeping our hawker centres and community spaces free from drug-related activities is crucial for a safe Singapore.