Singapore – Singapore’s Police Coast Guard (PCG) has uncovered more than 28kg of cocaine aboard a foreign-registered commercial vessel in local waters. Officers spotted suspicious packages on the ship, and the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) later confirmed the stash was cocaine — one of the largest single hauls seized in recent months.
According to a news report, the police revealed the find on Tuesday (Aug 25). Preliminary investigations by the CNB indicate the drugs were not intended for the local market, as the vessel was merely passing through Singapore at the time.
How the Drugs Were Found
The operation began last Friday, when the PCG received a tip-off about suspicious packages on board the vessel. Acting on this, officers boarded and searched the ship.
During the check, they discovered two packages believed to contain controlled drugs. These were cleverly hidden inside the sea chest strainers — a part of the ship’s water intake system not easily accessible.
The PCG then alerted the CNB, which took over the case. After seizing the packages, the bureau confirmed the contents added up to over 28kg of cocaine.
What the Law Says
Singapore takes an extremely hard line on drugs, something every Filipino working or living here should keep in mind.
Under the Misuse of Drugs Act, anyone found guilty of importing or exporting more than 30g of cocaine faces the mandatory death penalty. To put that into perspective, the 28kg seized in this case is hundreds of times over that legal threshold.
The message is simple: the risks are severe, and there is little room for leniency once someone is caught trafficking through the country.
Part of a Bigger Pattern
This latest seizure is not an isolated event. It follows a string of similar cases involving foreign vessels and travelers.
- Aug 5, 2026: The PCG and CNB worked together to seize more than 8kg of cocaine from a foreign-registered commercial vessel at the Raffles Reserved Anchorage, located between Pulau Senang and Pulau Semakau.
- 2025, Changi Airport: Five foreign women, aged 21 to 48, were arrested after nearly 27kg of cocaine was discovered hidden inside stuffed toys in their luggage.
Together, these cases show how authorities continue to tighten their watch over Singapore’s ports, waters, and airport. For the Filipino community here, it’s a clear reminder to stay well away from anything drug-related while abroad.