Singapore, despite being one of the most visited destinations in Asia, also has its “dark side”, especially in the city’s red light districts, where gambling and other illegal activities are known to be conducted.
Owing to this fact, authorities have set their sights in these areas, and conduct covert operations to track down violators and to thwart illegal activities in these parts of the city, which include selling and distribution of drugs, gambling, and prostitution, among others.
24 Arrested, Nearly 2 Kg Illegal Drug Confiscated in Drug-Bust
In relation to this, a total of 24 suspected drug offenders were arrested where nearly 2 kg of new psychoactive substances (NPS) commonly known as “mushroom” was seized during several raids on Tuesday night (Jul 16) by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), as shared in a report by Channel News Asia.
Some of those arrested are suspected to be involved in distributing large quantities of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in the Geylang area, according to a report by the CNB.
NPS, which are more commonly referred to as “mushroom”, are substances that mimic the effects of other Class A controlled drugs such as cannabis, cocaine and Ecstasy.
The abuse of these classified drugs have has been linked to adverse physical and psychological reactions, including paranoia, seizures, hallucinations and even death.
A little past 8 pm, a team of CNB officers arrested 19 suspected drug offenders near Geylang Lorong 10. Among the 19 arrested were two Singaporean men, aged 38 and 49, who were suspected drug traffickers.
In a statement, the CNB shared: “Officers also recovered about 1,804g of vegetable matter containing NPS.”
Meanwhile, a separate raid took place at a unit at Cassia Crescent at about the same time.
During this operation, CNB officers arrested a 54-year-old Singaporean man who was a suspected drug trafficker along with a 33-year-old Singaporean woman who was a suspected drug abuser.
As per police report, officers also recovered a total of about 78g of “vegetable matter” and 104g of powder, both containing NPS.
Among the items seized include a bottle of acetone and two bottles of acetone mixed with NPS powder.
Of note, three other alleged drug traffickers were subsequently arrested at two different locations. A 46-year-old was arrested near Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1 while a 42-year-old and a 46-year-old were arrested near Odeon Katong.
All three men are believed to to be associated with the 54-year-old male who was arrested at Cassia Crescent.
Investigations into these separate yet seemingly related drug activities of the suspects are currently on-going, as per police reports.
In Singapore, the consumption, possession, trafficking, import or export of any controlled drugs is listed as a violation under the Misuse of Drugs Act, which warrants the arrest and imprisonment of convicted felons for at least five years in jail along with five strokes of the cane.