A Singaporean smuggler thought that he could outwit checkpoint officers at Woodlands checkpoint by hiding slabs of drugs under his right sock. However, his efforts were in vain as his attempt was foiled by an eagle-eyed officer at the checkpoint.

2 On 3 Oct 06, a Malaysia-registered car was singled out for a routine check at the Woodlands Arrival Car Green Channel. The car was driven by a 44-year-old Malaysian man and he had a male passenger in the car. In the course of the check, the checkpoint officer noticed an unusual bulge on the passenger’s right leg. The officer proceeded to conduct a thorough body search on the 37-year-old Singaporean man and found a white package hidden under the man’s right sock. The officer opened the white package and found some tablets in it. A total of 13 Subutex tablets and 28 tablets of Domi were found in the white package.

3 The Singaporean man admitted ownership of the tablets and claimed that they were meant for personal consumption. He was immediately arrested and referred to CNB for further investigations. He will be investigated for the offence of importation of a controlled drug. If convicted, he will face a minimum sentence of 5 years imprisonment and 5 strokes of the cane.

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, drug traffickers can also expect to face a heightened gauntlet of security checks and measures at our entry and exit points.