CNB officer injured while arresting drug suspect who climbed out 9th floor window

The suspect had tried to climb out a bedroom window on the ninth floor to evade arrest.

Nixon Tan | March 22, 2023, 11:45 AM

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A Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) officer was injured during an anti-drug operation on Mar. 20.

The incident happened during a raid of a ninth-floor residential unit in the vicinity of Bedok North Road.

During the raid, a 25-year-old man climbed out the bedroom window of the flat in a bid to evade arrest. He lost his footing and continued to put up struggle while a CNB officer held on to him.

Photo from CNB

The man was eventually pulled back to safety through the window with the help of other officers and placed under arrest.

The CNB officer who held on to the man suffered deep lacerations to his right hand while preventing the suspect from falling and was admitted to the hospital for medical treatment, said CNB.

Aside from the 25-year-old, CNB officers also arrested a 23-year-old man, a 30-year-old man, and a 28-year-old woman for suspected drug trafficking offences.

CNB's Senior Assistant Director of Intelligence Operations William Tan said that the suspect had "total disregard for his safety and that of others while attempting to evade arrest".

"This turned into a life and death situation when our officer, who was arresting the suspect, had to hold on to the suspect when the latter lost his footing. Our officers have to make split-second decisions during operations, even placing themselves in great danger to ensure the safe arrest of suspects."

Manhunt

Another drug-related operation happened on the same day.

In the early hours of Mar. 20, the Singapore Police Force recovered items believed to be controlled drugs from a van during a police enforcement operation around the vicinity of Kaki Bukit Ave 3.

The driver of the van fled the scene after crashing the vehicle into a lamp post while evading the police.

Close to 997g of heroin was recovered from the van.

CNB launched an operation to arrest the driver of the van.

The 28-year-old man was found and arrested for drug trafficking in a residential unit located in the vicinity of Bedok North Road on the evening of Mar. 20.

A 26-year-old woman who was pregnant was also arrested in the same unit for drug consumption. The woman's nine-month-old baby was at the scene, and appropriate arrangements were made to ensure the welfare of the baby.

The baby was subsequently placed in the custody of a next of kin.

About 137 of "Ice", 87g of heroin, and several drug-related tools were seized.

Photo from CNB

Photo from CNB

Six Singaporeans arrested in total

In total, CNB arrested six Singaporeans, from ages 23 to 30, in the two anti-drug operations on Mar. 20.

The total number of drugs seized amounted to about 437g of "Ice", 1,322g of heroin, and five "Ecstasy" tablets.

18 tablets suspected to contain controlled drugs with an estimated street value of S$158,000 were also seized.

CNB estimates the amount of "Ice" and heroin seized can feed the addiction of about 890 abusers.

Investigations underway

Under section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, it is an offence for a person, on his or her behalf, or on behalf of any other person, whether or not that other person is in Singapore, to traffic in a controlled drug, offer to traffic in a controlled drug; or to do or offer to do any act preparatory to or for trafficking in a controlled drug.

If a person is found guilty of trafficking more than 15g of pure heroin (diamorphine) or 250g of methamphetamine, he or she may face the mandatory death penalty.

Investigations are underway into the drug activities of all arrested suspects.

Top photo courtesy of Central Narcotics Bureau.