Portuguese man, 25, arrested at Changi Airport for attempting to smuggle 36.3kg of cannabis into S'pore

A 25-year-old Portuguese man was arrested at Changi Airport Terminal 2 for attempting to smuggle about 36.3kg of cannabis into Singapore.

The man had previously arrived in Singapore on Apr. 14, 2026 and was scheduled to depart the next day, according to an Apr. 22 Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) news release.

He was then directed for further checks by K9 officers from the Singapore Police Force (SPF) conducting operations at Changi Airport Terminal 2 Baggage South Red/Green Channel on the evening of Apr. 14.

Cannabis

After ICA officers uncovered multiple packets believed to contain controlled drugs in his luggage, Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) officers were immediately alerted to the detection and subsequently conducted further checks.

A total of 68 packets believed to contain controlled drugs were found, which were later found to contain about 36.3kg of cannabis.

Penalties

Investigations are ongoing, the release noted.

It added that under Section 7 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, those who import into or export from Singapore more than 500g of cannabis may face the death penalty.

Top photos via Google Maps, CNB