https://www.todayonline.com/singapo...nb-seize-almost-19-kg-mushrooms-and-arrest-24
Geylang drug bust: CNB seize almost 1.9 kg of ‘mushrooms’ and arrest 24
By Justin Guang-Xi Ong
CNBSuspected drug offenders arrested in a CNB operation in the vicinity of Geylang Lorong 10 on July 16.
Published18 July, 2019
Updated 18 July, 2019
In a media statement, the CNB said most of the suspects, aged between 24 and 60, were arrested in the Geylang area. The CNB said NPS are colloquially known as “mushrooms”.
Nineteen of the suspects — two of whom were Singaporean male drug traffickers aged 38 and 49 — were nabbed in the vicinity of Geylang Lorong 10 shortly after 8pm on Tuesday by CNB officers. About 1,804g of vegetable matter containing NPS was recovered.
CNB concurrently raided a nearby unit in the vicinity of Cassia Crescent and arrested two suspects — a 33-year-old Singaporean female suspected of drug abuse and a 54-year-old Singaporean male who is suspected of drug trafficking.
Officers recovered 78g of vegetable matter containing NPS, 104g of powder containing NPS, a bottle of acetone and two bottles of acetone mixed with NPS powder. Acetone is a solvent.
NPS powder & NPS in “Butterfly” tobacco product packaging, seized in CNB operation on July 16. Photo: CNB
The final three suspects — all Singaporean males — were arrested at two other locations. A 46-year-old was arrested in the vicinity of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, and a 42-year-old and 46-year-old were arrested in the vicinity of Odeon Katong.
They are suspected to be associated with the 54-year-old male arrested at Cassia Crescent.
The CNB said NPS are produced by introducing slight modifications to the chemical structures of controlled drugs.
As such, they mimic the effects of other class A controlled drugs such as cannabis, cocaine and ecstacy. Their abuse has been associated with serious side-effects such as paranoia, seizures, hallucinations and even death.
CNB said it maintains “a zero-tolerance stance towards drugs and will not hesitate to take action against NPS activities.”
As of May 1 this year, the CNB reclassified five varieties of NPS as class A controlled drugs.
The consumption, possession, trafficking, import or export of any controlled drugs is an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Any person found guilty of trafficking Class A controlled drugs will face a minimum of five years’ imprisonment and five strokes of the cane, CNB said. They will also be liable for enhanced penalties if they re-offend or sell to young or vulnerable persons.
Investigations into the drug activities of the suspects are ongoing.
Geylang drug bust: CNB seize almost 1.9 kg of ‘mushrooms’ and arrest 24
By Justin Guang-Xi Ong
Published18 July, 2019
Updated 18 July, 2019
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In a media statement, the CNB said most of the suspects, aged between 24 and 60, were arrested in the Geylang area. The CNB said NPS are colloquially known as “mushrooms”.
Nineteen of the suspects — two of whom were Singaporean male drug traffickers aged 38 and 49 — were nabbed in the vicinity of Geylang Lorong 10 shortly after 8pm on Tuesday by CNB officers. About 1,804g of vegetable matter containing NPS was recovered.
CNB concurrently raided a nearby unit in the vicinity of Cassia Crescent and arrested two suspects — a 33-year-old Singaporean female suspected of drug abuse and a 54-year-old Singaporean male who is suspected of drug trafficking.
Officers recovered 78g of vegetable matter containing NPS, 104g of powder containing NPS, a bottle of acetone and two bottles of acetone mixed with NPS powder. Acetone is a solvent.
NPS powder & NPS in “Butterfly” tobacco product packaging, seized in CNB operation on July 16. Photo: CNB
The final three suspects — all Singaporean males — were arrested at two other locations. A 46-year-old was arrested in the vicinity of Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, and a 42-year-old and 46-year-old were arrested in the vicinity of Odeon Katong.
They are suspected to be associated with the 54-year-old male arrested at Cassia Crescent.
The CNB said NPS are produced by introducing slight modifications to the chemical structures of controlled drugs.
As such, they mimic the effects of other class A controlled drugs such as cannabis, cocaine and ecstacy. Their abuse has been associated with serious side-effects such as paranoia, seizures, hallucinations and even death.
CNB said it maintains “a zero-tolerance stance towards drugs and will not hesitate to take action against NPS activities.”
As of May 1 this year, the CNB reclassified five varieties of NPS as class A controlled drugs.
The consumption, possession, trafficking, import or export of any controlled drugs is an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Any person found guilty of trafficking Class A controlled drugs will face a minimum of five years’ imprisonment and five strokes of the cane, CNB said. They will also be liable for enhanced penalties if they re-offend or sell to young or vulnerable persons.
Investigations into the drug activities of the suspects are ongoing.
