The authorities have foiled the plans of suspected international smugglers after 391kg of cannabis was found in a container at Pasir Panjang Scanning Station.
They were hidden in boxes containing gloves, said a joint news release by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) on Friday (2 Oct).
Source: Central Narcotics Bureau
The container was identified and referred for enhanced checks on 24 Sept, ICA and CNB said.
This was based on ICA’s targeting efforts.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
ICA’s image analysts subsequently detected anomalies in the scanned images of the container.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
The container was then physically inspected by ICA officers.
They found suspected blocks of cannabis concealed within boxes containing gloves.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
CNB was immediately alerted, and its officers conducted further checks on the container.
Eventually, they uncovered a total of 1,290 blocks of cannabis, which had a total weight of about 391kg.
Source: Immigration & Checkpoints Authority on Facebook
The drugs were transiting through Singapore en route to another country, according to preliminary investigations.
Further investigations are ongoing.
Cannabis is a Class A controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973 (MDA).
CNB has previously noted that trafficking in a controlled drug, offering to do so, or any act or offer in preparation for or for the purpose of trafficking, is an offence under Section 5 of the MDA.
This applies whether the offender does so on their own behalf or on somebody else’s behalf, even if that other person is overseas.
Under Section 7 of the MDA, those convicted of trafficking more than 500g of cannabis may face the mandatory death penalty.
ICA said it works closely with CNB to prevent drug-smuggling attempts across Singapore’s borders.
It also pledged to continue to conduct security checks at the checkpoints to prevent undesirable persons, weapons, explosives and other contraband from being smuggled into the country.
Also read: Over 10kg of cannabis found in motorcycle at Tuas Checkpoint, M’sian man & woman arrested
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Featured image adapted from Central Narcotics Bureau.