1.4kg of heroin seized from barber who moonlighted as drug trafficker
19 Jul 2011
On 18 July 2011, at a barber shop located at the vicinity of Clementi, CNB arrested one 46-year-old suspected drug trafficker, his 46-year-old suspected drug storekeeper and four suspected drug abusers. In the course of the operation, officers recovered a total drug seizure amounting to approximately 1,432 grams of heroin, 55.5 grams of ‘ice’, 825.5 grams of cannabis, 34.6 grams of ketamine, 145 Erimin-5 tablets and 8 Ecstasy tablets. The total street value of the drugs is estimated to be more than S$261,000. Cash amounting to S$5,110 and two Singapore-registered vehicles were also seized in the operation.
More than just a trendy hair-stylist
For more than a month, CNB has been monitoring a suspected drug trafficker who was operating a barber shop in Clementi. CNB established that the suspected trafficker would travel to neighbouring countries to collect a variety of drugs, which he would then re-distribute to his drug clients upon his return. CNB’s investigations revealed that the suspected drug trafficker was assisted by an unemployed male who acted as his drug storekeeper and runner.
On 18 July 2011, CNB launched an operation to arrest the suspected drug trafficker and his drug storekeeper. At about 9.30 pm, the suspected drug storekeeper was seen arriving in a grey saloon car and parking his vehicle beside a black MPV belonging to the suspected drug trafficker. The suspected drug trafficker then came out of the barber shop and met up with the suspected drug storekeeper and two other males believed to be drug clients. Together, they entered the barber shop and the suspected drug trafficker pulled down the roller shutters of the shop. About ten minutes later, the suspected drug trafficker was seen coming out of the barber shop and retrieving a package from the black MPV. He then returned to his barber shop and pulled the roller shutters down once again.
Taken by surprise
At about 10.10 pm, as the roller shutters were being pulled up from inside, the CNB officers seized the opportunity to move in and raided the barber shop. In the barber shop, CNB officers arrested the suspected drug trafficker, the suspected drug storekeeper and the two suspected drug clients.
Inside the shop, CNB officers recovered approximately 470 grams of heroin, small amounts of cannabis and ‘ice’, and drug consumption paraphernalia from the suspected drug storekeeper. Clad in designer togs, the suspected drug trafficker was found in possession of approximately 760 grams of cannabis and various other drugs including ‘ice’, ketamine, heroin, Ecstasy and Erimin-5 tablets. He also had with him, drug trafficking paraphernalia and S$5,110 in cash. Another 470 grams of heroin hidden in a tool box at the rear passenger seat of the black MPV belonging to the suspected drug trafficker was also recovered.
In another suspected drug store of the group located at the vicinity of Choa Chu Kang Street 52, CNB officers recovered another approximately 460 grams of heroin.
On the same night, CNB officers arrested another two male Singaporeans, who were believed to be the clients of the suspected drug trafficker, at the vicinity of the void deck where the barber shop was located.
The suspected drug trafficker and the suspected drug storekeeper, both Singaporeans, will be investigated for the offence of drug trafficking under the Misuse of Drugs Act. If convicted, both will face the death penalty.
Central Narcotics Bureau
19 July 2011
http://www.cnb.gov.sg/newsroom/curr...arber_who_moonlighted_as_drug_trafficker.aspx