4kg of Ice worth S$500,000 found in base of ornamental figurines, man arrested

SINGAPORE: A total of 4.15kg of Ice was seized by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) during an operation in the Changi South area. 

The contraband, with an estimated street value of S$500,000 (US$373,000), had been hidden in the base structure of two ornamental figurines. 

A 25-year-old "foreign national" was also arrested for suspected drug trafficking, CNB said in a news release on Thursday (Jul 18) without specifying the person's nationality. 

The bureau said it had exchanged intelligence with the Narcotics Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKNB) on Tuesday afternoon, leading to the arrest of a 25-year-old that same day. 

He was arrested in the Changi South area after depositing a package at an airfreight warehouse nearby.

The package was seized and found to contain two ornamental lion figurines. The Ice, also known as crystal methamphetamine, was found concealed within the base structure of the objects. 

Deputy director of CNB, Senior Assistant Commissioner Leon Chan expressed appreciation to HKNB. 

"CNB would like to thank HKNB for their sharing of intelligence which led to this large seizure of Ice.

"Drug syndicates operate with no regard for borders and will cooperate with anyone anywhere so long as there are profits to be made. In the face of such criminals, law enforcement agencies must cooperate closely with one another," he said.

Investigations into the drug activities of the suspect are still ongoing.

Drug trafficking is a crime under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Those convicted of trafficking more than 250g of methamphetamine may face the mandatory death penalty.