SINGAPORE: A suspected Singaporean drug lord, who used Malaysia as a base to supply heroin and 'Ice' to drug traffickers in the republic, has been detained.
The 46-year-old man's arrest in Johor Baru on Wednesday led to the crippling of a major drug trafficking network operating in Singapore and Malaysia.
According to a Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) statement, the success against the drug network followed a two-year investigation by CNB and Malaysia's Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) based in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur.
It said the suspected syndicate leader, who was in hiding in Johor was picked up in a joint operation on Feb 4, by CNB and NCID. Also detained were the suspect's associates.
The statement said NCID officers raided the Singaporean's 'drug store' and residence in Malaysia, seizing about 580g of heroin, 370g of 'Ice', 350g of ketamine, 150 'Ecstasy' tablets, 4,450 Erimin-5 tablets and RM48,280.
It added that the syndicate was believed to have been coordinating a drug supply chain, supplying mainly heroin and Ice to Singaporean drug traffickers.
The statement said CNB started investigations into the activities of the syndicate in December 2012.
Between December 2012 and February 2015, CNB launched a series of operations to plug the syndicate's drug trafficking activities.
"In total, CNB had launched 14 operations, resulting in the arrest of 40 drug offenders and seizure of about 8kg of heroin, about 1.7kg of 'Ice', 1.9kg of cannabis and other drugs.
"The Malaysia-based syndicate was capable of supplying about 4.5kg of heroin, about 500g of 'Ice', about one kilograme of cannabis and other controlled drugs into Singapore per week," said the statement.
CNB director Ng Ser Song said: The successful conclusion of the protracted investigation against the drug syndicate was a result of the firm resolve and commitment of CNB and NCID to take down drug syndicates."
He extended appreciation to his Malaysian counterpart, acting director Datuk Harris Wong, over NCID's joint role in dismantling the syndicate and bringing the culprits to book. - Bernama
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