SINGAPORE: Two Singaporean men who were nabbed in Johor during drug raids were charged in Singapore on Thursday (Jun 13) with drug trafficking and failing to report for urine tests.
The two men, aged 48 and 35, were arrested by the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) of the Royal Malaysian Police on May 29.
During the operation, the NCID arrested 14 suspects for drug trafficking and seized RM11.6 million (S$3.2 million) worth of drugs at various locations.
The two men were handed over to Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) on Jun 12.
The 48-year-old was wanted for suspected drug trafficking activities in Singapore while the 35-year-old was wanted for failing to report for urine tests since October 2023, said CNB in a news release.
The Royal Malaysia Police said in an earlier media statement that the 14 people – comprising two Malaysian men, six foreign men and six foreign women aged between 22 and 52 – were arrested in seven raids around Johor Bahru and the Iskandar Puteri area.
Among those arrested was a 49-year-old foreign man, who is said to be a syndicate leader. The NCID also found the syndicate’s processing facilities.
It added that the estimated weight of all the seized drugs was 198.5kg, including ecstasy powder and pills, syabu, ketamine, Erimin-5 pills and MDMA.
The amount of drugs confiscated is capable of feeding the addiction of about 1.24 million addicts, said NCID director Khaw Kok Chin.
The Royal Malaysia Police also seized six vehicles, 14 watches of various brands, jewellery, as well as RM204,069 and S$22,970 in cash. The total value of the seized property is estimated to be RM1.17 million.
DRUGS HIDDEN IN JUICE PACKETS
Mr Khaw said the syndicate, which was active since January, would rent condominiums and terraced houses with fences and guards.
These locations would be used to process drugs before distribution to neighbouring countries by road. All the drug processing areas were shut down following the raids.
Investigations revealed that one of the tactics used by the syndicate involved packing drugs in juice packets, as well as manufacturing drugs to look like medicines, including painkillers.
Acting director of CNB, Senior Assistant Commissioner Leon Chan expressed his appreciation for the Royal Malaysia Police and Narcotics Crime Investigation Department.
“We thank our Malaysian counterparts for their assistance and swift action in bringing the suspects back to Singapore to face the law.
“There is no safe haven for drugs and both agencies will continue to work closely together to stamp out illicit drug activities.”
If convicted, the men may face sentences of up to 30 years or life imprisonment with 15 strokes of the cane.
