SINGAPORE — A total of 24 suspected drug offenders were arrested on Tuesday evening (July 16) by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) for suspected involvement in distributing sizeable quantities of new psychoactive substances in the Geylang area.

In a media statement, CNB said that most of the suspects, aged between 24 and 60, were arrested in the Geylang area. The bureau added that the new psychoactive substances 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 new psychoactive substances 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 new psychoactive substances, 104g of powder containing similar substances, a bottle of acetone and two bottles of acetone mixed with new psychoactive substances powder. Acetone is a solvent.

The final three suspects — all Singaporean males — were arrested at two other locations. A 46-year-old was nabbed near Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, and a 42-year-old and 46-year-old were arrested near Odeon Katong.

They are suspected to be associated with the 54-year-old male arrested at Cassia Crescent. 

CNB said that new psychoactive substances 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 that it maintains “a zero-tolerance stance towards drugs" and will not hesitate to take action against activities linked to new psychoactive substances. 

As of May 1 this year, the bureau reclassified five varieties of new psychoactive substances 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. 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.