On 20 Jul 2007, at about 0720 hrs, officers from Woodlands Checkpoint diverted an arriving Malaysia-registered motorcycle for further checks at the inspection pit. The vehicle was driven by a male Malaysian Chinese.

2 In the course of the checks, the checkpoint officer came across a raincoat kept within the motorcycle carrier box. When unwrapped, a stapled brown envelope was revealed. Upon opening the envelope, 20 sachets of white powdery substance, believed to be heroin, were found packed equally into four packets.

3 When questioned, the 35 year old motorcyclist denied ownership of the exhibits and claimed that he was unaware of the envelope concealed within the raincoat. He further claimed that he had lent his motorcycle to a friend the day before. The motorcyclist was arrested, and together with the exhibits, handed over to the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) for further investigations. The penalty for the illegal traffic, import or export of heroin of more than 15 grams, is death.

Security at our checkpoints

4 In view of the current global situation, enforcement agencies at all entry and exit points are working closely together to step up security inspections of all persons, goods and vehicles entering or leaving Singapore. As a result, would be drug traffickers can also expect to face a heightened gauntlet of security checks and measures at our entry and exit points.