SINGAPORE: While everyone was in a celebratory mood to usher in the New Year, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the land checkpoints were maintaining vigilance and keeping a close watch at the borders.
Consequently, they detected and seized 9.3kg of heroin at the Woodlands checkpoint – the largest haul of heroin uncovered in 2014, with two Malaysian men arrested in the case.
A joint statement by ICA and the Central Narcortics Bureau (CNB) said that at about 7.30am, ICA officers conducted a routine check on a Malaysia-registered vehicle upon arrival.
The car was driven by a 28-year-old male Malaysian.
ICA officers recovered packets of brown substance, suspected to be heroin, under the rear passenger seat of the car.
CNB officers were immediately alerted of the detection.
Twenty packets of heroin, weighing approximately 9,270gm with a potential street value of more than S$649,000 were seized.
Following an immediate investigation, CNB officers arrested a 27-year-old Malaysian man in the vicinity of Woodlands Town Garden, suspected to be an associate of the 28-year-old male Malaysian.
Investigations on both men are ongoing. If convicted, they may face the death penalty. — Bernama