A significant drug enforcement case has emerged from Punggol after a substantial quantity of illicit substances was discovered inside a residential flat, including drugs hidden within a children’s bedroom. The arrest was part of a wider islandwide crackdown by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), underscoring Singapore’s continued zero-tolerance stance on drug-related offences and concerns over drugs infiltrating family homes and public housing estates.
CNB officers uncovered approximately 160 grams of cannabis and 59 grams of methamphetamine, commonly known as “Ice”, during an operation conducted on the afternoon of January 12. The drugs were reportedly stored in a plastic container concealed behind the bedroom door of a unit where children were present. Drug paraphernalia was also found alongside the substances, raising serious red flags about exposure risks within a domestic environment.
The children’s mother, a 34-year-old Singaporean woman, was arrested at the scene for suspected drug offences. CNB highlighted that the discovery of controlled drugs in a child’s bedroom is especially alarming, given the potential danger to minors and the broader implications for family safety, public health, and child welfare in Singapore.
PUNGGOL AND HOUGANG CASES RAISE ALARM OVER HOME-BASED DRUG ACTIVITY
In a separate but related incident, CNB officers arrested a 39-year-old Singaporean man at his residence along Hougang Avenue 5 on the morning of January 13. A search of the unit yielded a small quantity of methamphetamine, five Ecstasy tablets, two Erimin-5 tablets, and various drug paraphernalia commonly associated with drug consumption and distribution.
During the same operation, officers observed another occupant of the unit, a 55-year-old Singaporean man, attempting to dispose of a box into a dustbin at the void deck. CNB officers retrieved the discarded item and found 19 Erimin-5 tablets inside. The man was subsequently arrested for suspected drug-related offences.
These cases highlight a worrying trend of drugs being stored or handled within residential premises, including HDB flats, which are typically seen as safe living spaces for families. Authorities have repeatedly warned that such activities not only break the law but also place neighbours and children at risk.
ISLANDWIDE ANTI-DRUG OPERATION NETS 88 ARRESTS
According to CNB, the arrests in Punggol and Hougang were part of a broader islandwide anti-drug operation carried out between January 11 and 16. Enforcement teams conducted operations across multiple locations, including Bedok, Woodlands, Race Course Road, and Telok Kurau, targeting suspected drug abusers and traffickers.
In total, 88 suspected drug offenders were arrested during the operation. CNB seized approximately 213 grams of cannabis, 170 grams of methamphetamine, one gram of heroin, five Ecstasy tablets, and 23 Erimin-5 tablets. Vape-related products were also confiscated, including 37 e-vaporiser pods believed to contain etomidate, a substance that has raised growing concern among enforcement agencies.
The total estimated street value of the seized drugs exceeded S$23,000, with additional cash amounting to S$1,122.05 also recovered. CNB confirmed that investigations into all suspects are ongoing, and those found guilty may face severe penalties under Singapore’s Misuse of Drugs Act, which includes long-term imprisonment and, in trafficking cases, capital punishment.
The latest operation reinforces Singapore’s strict drug laws and the government’s continued efforts to keep neighbourhoods, public housing estates, and families safe from the harmful effects of drug abuse and trafficking.