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Four arrested for suspected drug trafficking using unmanned aircraft

Unmanned aircraft and drugs seized by CNB on 17 June. (PHOTO: Central Narcotics Bureau/Facebook)
Unmanned aircraft and drugs seized by CNB on 17 June. (PHOTO: Central Narcotics Bureau/Facebook)

SINGAPORE — Police have arrested four Singaporeans in connection to a case of suspected drug trafficking using an unmanned aircraft.

The Singapore Police Force and Central Narcotics Bureau have seized a total of about 389 grams of Ice (methamphetamine), eight grams of heroin, 195 Ecstasy tablets and two Erimin-5 tablets, after they arrested three men and one woman, aged between 24 and 40.

The drugs were estimated to be worth at least $44,000, said CNB in a media release on Saturday (20 June).

Unmanned aircraft with bag attached

On Wednesday at about 5.45pm, police detected unusual unmanned aircraft activity in the vicinity of Kranji Reservoir Park. Officers from Woodlands Police Division observed an unmanned aircraft, with a bag attached to it, hovering in the air at the park.

Police subsequently found and arrested two men, aged 29 and 34, who were believed to be the operators of the said unmanned aircraft. The unmanned aircraft and a black bag were retrieved.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the bag contained substances suspected to be controlled drugs – about 278 grams of Ice.

During a subsequent search by CNB officers of one of the men’s car, which was parked in the vicinity of the park, an assortment of controlled drugs – about 35 grams of Ice, eight grams of heroin and 195 Ecstasy tablets – were also found.

The two men were suspected to have operated the unmanned aircraft from Singapore to import drugs from Malaysia. Flight data retrieved from one of the suspects’ phone showed that the unmanned aircraft had flown from Kranji to Johor Bahru and back again to Kranji that day.

The duo have since been charged on Friday with trafficking Class A controlled drugs.

Follow-up operation nabs two

In a follow-up operation conducted by CNB on Thursday, another man and woman were arrested in connection with the two men earlier arrested at Kranji Reservoir Park.

The 24-year-old woman, a suspected drug abuser, was arrested in the vicinity of a private housing estate at Marne Road. The 40-year-old man, a suspected drug trafficker, was arrested shortly after, in a unit within the private housing estate.

Forced entry was effected as the man refused to heed the lawful orders of the CNB officers to open the door. A total of about 76 grams of Ice, a small amount of heroin, two Erimin-5 tablets and cash amounting to $13,230, were found within the unit.

The total amount of 389g of Ice that had been seized in these operations is sufficient to feed the addiction of about 220 abusers for a week. Investigations are ongoing.

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