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CNB and ICA Intercepted the Largest Haul of ‘ICE’ - 5.2 kg worth $1.3 million
The date was 13 November 2011 and it was a usual sight at the Changi Airport.
Numerous people travelling out of Singapore for holidays were doing their check-ins at the
departure hall. Over at the arrival side, family members and friends were waiting anxiously for
the arrival of their loved ones. Amidst the voluminous flow of travellers, the officers from the
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) had spotted a male Nigerian who had just arrived
from Doha. He looked like any other travellers as he strolled towards the Green Channel at
Terminal 3 Arrival Hall of Changi Airport. However, the ICA officers approached the male
traveller and directed him to have his checked-in luggage sent for inspection.
2. When screening the luggage, the observant ICA officers spotted anomalies on the
scanning images. When the ICA officers directed a few questions to the traveller, the initial
calm demeanour of the 28-year-old male Nigerian had almost vanished. He was visibly nervous
and started to stutter. Based on the officers’ experience and their sharp eye for detail, the
officers suspected that there was a concealed compartment in the trolley luggage that could
possibly be used to hide controlled substances.
3. The officers cut open the inner linings of the two sides of the luggage and found two
packages wrapped in brown tape in the concealed side compartments. When the packages
were opened, the officers found a transparent plastic bag containing crystallised substance.
The substance, weighing about 2.6kg, was suspected to be ‘Ice’. True to the officers’ instincts,
they were rewarded with the largest haul of ‘Ice’ this year.
4. The 28-year old man was immediately detained and together with the seized exhibits,
was handed over to the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) for further investigations.
5. In a follow-up operation by CNB the same day, CNB officers stopped a Singaporeregistered
Honda Stream at Woodlands Checkpoint Car Departure Lane at around MIDNIGHT.
A search of the vehicle was conducted by CNB officers and officers from the SPF K9 unit,
following which the narcotic dog reacted to the luggage bag found in the car boot. CNB officers
then escorted the driver and the luggage to the x-ray machine, and the x-ray showed
irregularities in the sides of the luggage. Upon cutting open both sides of the luggage, CNB
officers recovered two packages wrapped with masking tape containing ‘Ice’, which weighed
approximately 2.6kg. The 46-year-old female Singaporean was then arrested by CNB officers.
6. Following the arrest of the 46-year-old female, CNB officers swiftly launched a second
follow up operation in the late morning of 14 November 2011 to locate another member of the
syndicate. A 26-year-old male Nigerian was arrested in his hotel room in Chinatown. CNB is
investigating into his role in the case.
7. In total, about 5.2 kg of ‘Ice’ were seized, with a combined street value of more than
S$1.3million. These were the largest haul of ‘Ice’ in Singapore in CNB’s AND ICA’S history. The
28-year-old Nigerian would be investigated for an offence of drug importation into Singapore.
The woman and the 26-year-old Nigerian would be investigated for the offence of drug
exportation and drug trafficking respectively. If convicted, all three may face the death penalty
under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA).
8. Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore's security. The
enhanced security checks are critical to our nation’s security. We have tightened our security
checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in
undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contrabands. The same methods of
concealment used by contraband smugglers may be used by terrorists to smuggle arms and
explosives to carry out attacks in Singapore.
9. Dir CNB Mr Huang Wen Yi (Ng Boon Gay) said, “We have been monitoring the
syndicate for some time now. Thanks to ICA officers’ alertness, we nabbed the first Nigerian
and we followed up quickly by arresting the second Nigerian and the female drug courier. The
two consignments were believed to be for re-export. Nonetheless, we will not tolerate Singapore
being used as a transit point for drugs. The Home Team Departments are working together
closely to prevent this from happening, and CNB will continue to press on with our enforcement
efforts in our zero-tolerance fight against illegal drugs in Singapore.”
10. Singaporeans are reminded not to allow themselves to be made use of by foreign drug
syndicates and should reject any suspicious offer of free travel or paid holidays. If unsure,
members of public can call CNB at 1800-3256666.
CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
14 NOVEMBER 2011
CNB PHOTOS: Changi Airport case
CNB PHOTOS: Woodlands Checkpoint Case
Numerous people travelling out of Singapore for holidays were doing their check-ins at the
departure hall. Over at the arrival side, family members and friends were waiting anxiously for
the arrival of their loved ones. Amidst the voluminous flow of travellers, the officers from the
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) had spotted a male Nigerian who had just arrived
from Doha. He looked like any other travellers as he strolled towards the Green Channel at
Terminal 3 Arrival Hall of Changi Airport. However, the ICA officers approached the male
traveller and directed him to have his checked-in luggage sent for inspection.
2. When screening the luggage, the observant ICA officers spotted anomalies on the
scanning images. When the ICA officers directed a few questions to the traveller, the initial
calm demeanour of the 28-year-old male Nigerian had almost vanished. He was visibly nervous
and started to stutter. Based on the officers’ experience and their sharp eye for detail, the
officers suspected that there was a concealed compartment in the trolley luggage that could
possibly be used to hide controlled substances.
3. The officers cut open the inner linings of the two sides of the luggage and found two
packages wrapped in brown tape in the concealed side compartments. When the packages
were opened, the officers found a transparent plastic bag containing crystallised substance.
The substance, weighing about 2.6kg, was suspected to be ‘Ice’. True to the officers’ instincts,
they were rewarded with the largest haul of ‘Ice’ this year.
4. The 28-year old man was immediately detained and together with the seized exhibits,
was handed over to the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) for further investigations.
5. In a follow-up operation by CNB the same day, CNB officers stopped a Singaporeregistered
Honda Stream at Woodlands Checkpoint Car Departure Lane at around MIDNIGHT.
A search of the vehicle was conducted by CNB officers and officers from the SPF K9 unit,
following which the narcotic dog reacted to the luggage bag found in the car boot. CNB officers
then escorted the driver and the luggage to the x-ray machine, and the x-ray showed
irregularities in the sides of the luggage. Upon cutting open both sides of the luggage, CNB
officers recovered two packages wrapped with masking tape containing ‘Ice’, which weighed
approximately 2.6kg. The 46-year-old female Singaporean was then arrested by CNB officers.
6. Following the arrest of the 46-year-old female, CNB officers swiftly launched a second
follow up operation in the late morning of 14 November 2011 to locate another member of the
syndicate. A 26-year-old male Nigerian was arrested in his hotel room in Chinatown. CNB is
investigating into his role in the case.
7. In total, about 5.2 kg of ‘Ice’ were seized, with a combined street value of more than
S$1.3million. These were the largest haul of ‘Ice’ in Singapore in CNB’s AND ICA’S history. The
28-year-old Nigerian would be investigated for an offence of drug importation into Singapore.
The woman and the 26-year-old Nigerian would be investigated for the offence of drug
exportation and drug trafficking respectively. If convicted, all three may face the death penalty
under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA).
8. Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore's security. The
enhanced security checks are critical to our nation’s security. We have tightened our security
checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in
undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contrabands. The same methods of
concealment used by contraband smugglers may be used by terrorists to smuggle arms and
explosives to carry out attacks in Singapore.
9. Dir CNB Mr Huang Wen Yi (Ng Boon Gay) said, “We have been monitoring the
syndicate for some time now. Thanks to ICA officers’ alertness, we nabbed the first Nigerian
and we followed up quickly by arresting the second Nigerian and the female drug courier. The
two consignments were believed to be for re-export. Nonetheless, we will not tolerate Singapore
being used as a transit point for drugs. The Home Team Departments are working together
closely to prevent this from happening, and CNB will continue to press on with our enforcement
efforts in our zero-tolerance fight against illegal drugs in Singapore.”
10. Singaporeans are reminded not to allow themselves to be made use of by foreign drug
syndicates and should reject any suspicious offer of free travel or paid holidays. If unsure,
members of public can call CNB at 1800-3256666.
CENTRAL NARCOTICS BUREAU
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
14 NOVEMBER 2011
CNB PHOTOS: Changi Airport case
CNB PHOTOS: Woodlands Checkpoint Case