Everything You Need to Know About the CNB Operation That Resulted in The Death Of a Suspected Drug Dealer

In the movies, if a drug dealer’s house was getting raided, he’d magically gather all his goods in a matter of seconds and fling them into the toilet bowl.

Then, at the precise moment that he flushes, police officers would kick the door down and rush in to apprehend the suspect.

They’d scour the house for hours but find nothing.

But in reality, drug raids are a lot messier than that. Not only is it impossible to dispose of all of your drugs, but someone may also get hurt in the process.

Or, in this case, lose their life.

Everything You Need to Know About the CNB Operation That Resulted in The Death Of a Suspected Drug Dealer

A 63-year-old man died while trying to escape during a series of raids conducted by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) on Monday (21 Sep).

Six suspected drug offenders were arrested and almost S$700,000 worth of drugs were seized in the raids, which took place in Sunset Way, Bukit Batok and Tanjong Pagar.

It all started when officers intercepted a vehicle around Sunset Way on Monday afternoon (23 Sep). They found 80g of heroin in the vehicle and arrested a 44-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman for suspected drug offences.

Just before his arrest, the 44-year-old met up with a 63-year-old man, who was another suspect, CNB said.

This 63-year-old suspect was believed to have been staying in a unit around Bukit Batok Street 31.

Climbed Out of the Window

When another group of CNB officers attempted to raid the 63-year-old man’s flat, they were refused entry, even though they repeatedly identified themselves.

So, officers had to force their way in.

But before they could even gain entry, the man had climbed out of the kitchen window and fell.

Lianhe Zaobao reported that the man had fallen from the ninth floor.

He was later pronounced dead by Singapore Civil Defence Force officers who responded to the scene, CNB said.

A 65-year-old man and a 33-year-old female foreign national in the unit were subsequently arrested.

Officers also found a truckload of drugs in the unit.

They seized 4.79kg of heroin, around 1.12kg of Ice, 13g of new psychoactive substances, and 20 Erimin-5 tablets.

Some of these goods were found in the toilet bowl, as the suspects had attempted to flush it down.

They also found S$174,000 in cash and various drug paraphernalia.

Two other men were arrested in a follow-up operation at a shophouse unit around Tanjong Pagar Road where 260g of heroin and 1g of Ice were seized.

In total, 5.13kg of heroin, around 1.12kg of Ice, about 13g of new psychoactive substances, and 20 Erimin-5 tablets were recovered, amounting to around S$700,000.

The authorities are investigating the drug activities of those arrested, as well as the death of the 63-year-old man.

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