Joyce Fang/The Straits Times
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According to Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) — Singapore’s primary drug enforcement agency that was set up in 1917 with an aim to keep the nation safe from drugs — officers arrested the first 21-year-old suspect in the vicinity of Eunos Crescent on Tuesday, 26 April.
In follow-up operations, CNB arrested two other men, aged 20 and 22, who were believed to be associates of the 21-year-old.
“CNB officers then escorted the 21-year-old man to a locked riser in the vicinity of Eunos Crescent and using a key found on him, officers unlocked the riser and recovered about 2,312g of heroin,” the agency said in a statement.
Comparatively, according to a fact sheet published on Wednesday, 27 April, in regards to Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam’s case, the 34-year-old was executed for trafficking 42g of pure heroin, which CNB noted can feed 510 drug abusers for a week.
2,312g of heroin seized in connection with the three arrested Singaporeans is said to have a total estimated street value of SGD162,000 (about RM509,288).
It also revealed that investigations into the suspects’ drug activities are currently ongoing.
“CNB remains committed in keeping Singapore safe from the harms of drugs and inhalants. Everyone in the community can play their part in protecting our youths from the harms of drugs,” it said.
It added information and useful toolkits on how to spot warning signs of potential drug problems and effective ways to persuade young people to stay drug-free in the statement as well.
Singapore, like Malaysia, is one of the few countries with the harshest drug laws in the world.
Malaysia had a moratorium on the death sentence in July 2018 but the then Cabinet was criticised for backpaddling the following year for introducing amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 that give judges discretion whether to mete out the death sentence. The amendments were not complete abolishment of capital punishment.
The Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network (ADPAN) — a non-governmental organisation (NGO) — said earlier this month that many drug traffickers are still being sentenced to death in Malaysia, reported Free Malaysia Today.