2.78kg of heroin and 480g of Ice worth S$282,000 worth of drugs seized at Woodlands Checkpoint

Officers from the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) seized drugs totalling about 2.78kg of heroin and 480g of Ice from the driver and passenger of a Malaysian-registered lorry early Monday morning (May 16). The drugs are estimated to be worth more than S$282,000.

In a press release on Tuesday, ICA and the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) said the lorry was stopped for checks when it arrived at Woodlands Checkpoint at about 4.50am on Monday. Officers found the drugs concealed in the compartment behind the passenger seat. 

The lorry was also carrying a consignment of pails, cans and shield anchors.

The lorry driver and the passenger, male Malaysians aged 33 and 27 respectively, were arrested and referred to CNB. Authorities said investigations are ongoing. 

The Misuse of Drugs Act provides for the death penalty if the amount of or pure heroin trafficked exceeds 15g – sufficient to feed the addiction of about 180 abusers for a week, the authorities said.

The Act also provides for the death penalty if the amount of Ice, or methamphetamine, trafficked exceeds 250g, which is enough to feed the addiction of about 185 abusers for a week.  

"The Home Team agencies will continue to conduct checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contraband," the authorities said in the statement.