A lorry attendant was caught at Tuas Checkpoint for trying to smuggle heroin into Singapore. It was ironical that the straws of heroin were hidden in a small container shaped like a hand giving the thumbs-up, as Singapore is known for giving the thumbs-down to drugs.

2 On 16 Jan 06 at about 0630 hours, ICA officers stopped and conducted a check on a consignment of live cockles onboard a lorry. Although the consignment was in order, the observant ICA officer noticed that the Malay lorry attendant was behaving in a suspicious manner during the entire check. He was casting furtive glances at our officers and shuffling his feet uneasily during the check. A search was conducted on the 31-year-old attendant which uncovered six straws of heroin hidden in a pink hand-shaped container found in his trousers pocket. A piece of burnt aluminium foil and some smoking utensils were also found. Nothing incriminating was found on the lorry driver. The vehicle was seized and the attendant was immediately arrested and the case was referred to the Central Narcotics Bureau. A further check was conducted by CNB officers and another straw of heroin was found in the coin compartment of his wallet, bringing the total drug seizure to seven straws of heroin weighing approximately 0.98 grams.

3 The attendant will be investigated for the offence of importation of a controlled drug. If convicted, he will face a minimum sentence of five years imprisonment and five 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