Over 900 grams of heroin seized at Singaporean immigration checkpoint

Singapore has seized over 900 g of heroin from a Malaysian rider on Monday, according to a joint press release by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old male Malaysian rider was stopped in the course of inspection, where ICA officers found about 460 g of heroin in the rider's bag. The rider was placed under arrest. The suspect, together with the seized exhibit, were referred to the CNB for further investigations.

In the course of investigations, CNB officers recovered another 460 g of heroin and about 120 g of "Ice" from the suspect. This entire seizure of drugs is estimated to be worth more than 86,000 Singapore dollars (63,704 U.S. dollars). Investigations are ongoing.

The Misuse of Drugs Act provides for the death penalty if the amount of diamorphine (or pure heroin) trafficked exceeds 15 g. 15 g of diamorphine is equivalent to 1,250 straws1, which is sufficient to feed the addiction of about 180 abusers for a week.

"Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore's security, and security checks are critical to our nation's security. The Home Team agencies will continue to conduct checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contrabands," ICA and CNB said. Enditem