A Malaysian man and Singaporean man were recently arrested on separate occasions at the land checkpoints for attempting to smuggle drugs into Singapore.

Details of First Case

2.          In the early morning of 17 March 2026, a 29-year-old Malaysian man was arrested for attempting to smuggle drugs, including about 14kg of heroin, through Tuas Checkpoint.

3.          Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers had directed the motorcycle for enhanced checks and found several black bundles believed to contain controlled drugs in the rear box of the motorcycle. Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) officers were immediately alerted to the detection and conducted further checks. A total of 25 bundles believed to contain controlled drugs were found. The bundles contained about 14kg of heroin, 2.6kg of ‘Ice’ and 190g of ‘Ecstasy’.

Details of Second Case

4.          On 18 March 2026, a 29-year-old Singaporean man, who was a passenger in a Malaysia-registered vehicle, was arrested for attempting to smuggle about 81g of cannabis through Woodlands Checkpoint.

5.          ICA officers had directed the man for enhanced checks and detected a bundle believed to contain controlled drugs concealed along his waistline near his groin area. CNB officers were immediately alerted to the detection and conducted further checks which uncovered various drug paraphernalia in his possession. The bundle of approximately 81g of cannabis was seized.

6.          The drugs seized for both cases have an estimated worth of more than $2 million. The heroin, ‘Ice’ and cannabis seized could potentially feed the addiction of about 8,169 abusers for a week.

7.          Investigations for both cases are ongoing. Under Section 7 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, those who import into or export from Singapore more than 15g of diamorphine or “pure heroin”, or more than 250g of methamphetamine may face the death penalty.

Photo 1 (CNB): Drugs seized from the rear box of the motorcycle driven by the 29-year-old Malaysian man on 17 March 2026 at Tuas Checkpoint.

Photo 2 (CNB): Cannabis seized from the 29-year-old Singaporean man on 18 March 2026 at Woodlands Checkpoint.

8.          ICA will continue to work with the various controlling agencies and conduct security checks at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle drugs, undesirable persons, weapons, explosives and other contrabands across our borders.

IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY
21 MARCH 2026