33-743: The Central Narcotics Bureau (中央肃毒局) or CNB is a department under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) tasked to combat drug trafficking and distribution and is responsible for coordinating all matters pertaining to drug eradication in Singapore. On 19 October 1971, the Government of Singapore announced that a new and dedicated Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), would be set up within the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Then-Minister for Home Affairs Wong Lin Ken said, "Such activities will be coordinated in
66-513: A Direct-Entry Inspector or a Direct-Entry Sergeant. Male recruits must be physically fit (i.e. pass the IPPT ). They must also have completed National Service (NS) with a Physical Employment Status (PES) of A or B1, which implies that they are the medically fit. For male CNB officers, their NS liabilities will be paused as long as they are in the Bureau, making them the equivalent of regular officers in
99-542: A federal responsibility. After gaining independence on 9 August 1965 from Malaysia, the ministry returned to the Empress Place Building under the purview of the Ministry of Interior and Defence (MID). MID stayed there for several months before it was relocated to Pearl's Hill (former Lower Barracks of Police). On 11 August 1970, the Ministry of Interior and Defence was separated into two ministries,
132-494: A financial penalty be imposed. After graduation, Direct-Entry Inspectors enter a foundation 1.5-year posting at the Enforcement Division or Investigation Division. Direct-Entry Sergeants must minimally be a Higher NITEC, GCE A-Level or Polytechnic Diploma holder. They undergo six months of basic training before being posted out to various work units for on-the-job training. CNB officers are issued and trained in
165-422: A total and integrated approach to deal with the drug problem. The four main anti-drug strategies are Preventive Drug Education, Rigorous Enforcement, Treatment and Rehabilitation for addicts, and Aftercare and Continued Rehabilitation for ex-addicts to reintegrate them into society. The CNB was to be in charge of Rigorous Enforcement and Preventive Drug Education. All Narcotics Officers are defined as an "officer of
198-425: A total population of just over 2 million people. These regular users tended to be older Chinese Singaporean men, whose activities the authorities often turned a blind eye due to the younger generation of Singaporeans not picking up the same habits. MX pills were freely available and widely abused a recreational drug, while cannabis smoking became more widespread as the hippie culture became popular. However, in
231-464: A trading hub. The proximity to the Golden Triangle is another oft-cited justification for tough anti-drug laws. "What soft options do you have in dealing with such a deep-seated problem like drug addiction? We are tough on drugs as we are tough on crime and we are not apologetic about it. Had we not imposed the death penalty for drug trafficking, the situation would be worse. The rationale
264-767: Is also an Internal Investigations Office and Psychology Unit that provide additional staff support. Enforcement Sector 1 covers the geographical boundaries served by the Singapore Police Force 's 'A' ( Central ), 'E' ( Tanglin ), and 'G' ( Bedok ) divisions, as well as Marine and Airport . Enforcement Sector 2 covers the geographical boundaries served by SPF's 'F' ( Ang Mo Kio ), 'J' ( Jurong ) and 'L' (Woodlands ) divisions, as well as Tuas and Woodlands Checkpoints. Ministry of Home Affairs (Singapore) The Ministry of Home Affairs ( MHA ; Malay : Kementerian Ehwal Dalam Negeri ; Chinese : 内政部 ; Tamil : உள்துறை அமைச்சு ), sometimes referred to as
297-567: Is appointed as part of the Cabinet of Singapore . The incumbent minister is MP for Nee Soon GRC K. Shanmugam from the People's Action Party . Misuse of Drugs Act (Singapore) The Misuse of Drugs Act 1973 is a statute of the Parliament of Singapore that enables authorities to prosecute offenders for crimes involving illegal drugs . The law is designed specifically to grant
330-503: Is illegal. Persons caught with less than the Mandatory Death Penalty amounts of these controlled substances face penalties ranging from caning (up to 24 strokes) to life in prison. Pursuant to a law change in 2009, cannabis (marijuana) and marijuana mixtures (diluted with other substances) are treated the same under Singapore law—the presumed intent is trafficking. Some examples include: Some examples include: For
363-459: Is taking place. The CNB officers also work in closely with officers from other Home Team agencies such as the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). CNB officers acting undercover have been involved in sting operations which resulted in the arrest and prosecution of several drug traffickers. The undercover officer would typically be introduced to
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#1732783287619396-475: Is very simple. Singapore is a small country and we cannot afford the luxury of having its citizens hooked on drugs for the rest of their lives." former Central Narcotics Bureau director Tee Tua Ba defending Singapore's zero tolerance approach to illegal drugs In November 1993, the "Committee to Improve the Drug Situation in Singapore" was set up to look into the drug situation and it recommended
429-518: The Government of Singapore , through its agencies such as the Central Narcotics Bureau , enforcement powers to combat offences such as the trafficking, importation or exportation, possession, and consumption of controlled drugs. Despite its close proximity to the major drug producing areas of the Golden Triangle , in the late 1960s Singapore had relatively little hard drug use, with an estimated 8,000 local opium addicts out of
462-656: The Home Team , is a ministry of the Government of Singapore responsible for overseeing the national security , public security , civil defence , border control and immigration of Singapore . The Ministry of Home Affairs was created in 1959 when Singapore attained self-governance from the United Kingdom. The ministry was housed at the Empress Place Building until 16 September 1963, when Singapore joined Malaysia and internal affairs became
495-505: The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), Singapore Police Force (SPF) and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). Potential Inspectors undergo nine months of basic training to learn various skills such as applying knowledge of criminal laws, investigation techniques, self-defence tactics and weapons handling. The nine-month training phase also includes an overseas component. There is a two-year bond which must be fulfilled lest
528-609: The Bureau" under the Misuse of Drugs Act. This empowers them to enter and search any place reasonably believed to contain controlled drugs without a warrant. They may also search a person or subject persons to urine or hair tests. The CNB conducts regular nationwide operations to conduct checks against drug abusers and ex-drug abusers who may have relapsed. Other than island-wide operations, the CNB conducts operations targeted at specific areas where intelligence sources indicate that drug activity
561-647: The CNB in order to join the STF. From there, officers have access to battering rams and electric cutters for forced entry with Heckler & Koch USP Compact pistols issued as their primary firearm. The CNB is headed by a director, who is assisted by a deputy director. Supporting the director and deputy director are the operational line and staff divisions, namely Intelligence Division, Enforcement Division, Investigation Division, Operations Division, Policy, Planning and Research Division, Corporate Services Division, Communications Division and Staff Development Division. There
594-782: The Central Narcotics Bureau. CNB also plans to build a capacity to educate the public in the dangers of drug abuse". In 1973, the Singapore Government introduced the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) to deal with drug traffickers, pushers and addicts. The enactment of the MDA was intended to consolidate the provisions of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance 1951 (DDO) and Drugs (Prevention of Misuse) Act 1969 (DPMA), and secondly to more effectively deal with
627-457: The Gazette" add, remove, or transfer drugs among the classes. The statute's penal provisions are severe by most nations' standards, providing for long terms of imprisonment , caning , and capital punishment . The law creates a presumption of trafficking for certain threshold amounts, (e.g.) 30 grams of cannabis . It also creates a presumption that a person possesses drugs if he possesses
660-522: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF). MHA remained at Pearl's Hill until August 1977 when it moved to Phoenix Park at Tanglin Road. MHA, together with Police Headquarters, moved to its new premises at New Phoenix Park on 18 August 2001. The Ministry of Home Affairs consists of the following seven departments: The Ministry is headed by the Minister for Home Affairs , who
693-423: The company of drug users. The law also allows officers to search premises and individuals, without a search warrant , if he "reasonably suspects that there is to be found a controlled drug or article liable to seizure". Moreover, Section 31 allows officers to demand urinalysis of suspected drug offenders while section 8A prohibits any citizen or permanent resident of Singapore to use any prohibited drug outside of
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#1732783287619726-474: The country as a criminal offence punishable by hanging, which is enforced under Second Schedule of the Misuse of Drugs Act , any person importing, exporting, or found in possession of more than the threshold quantities of illegal drugs can a mandatory death sentence. Examples of high-profile cases such as the capital punishment of drug traffickers Van Tuong Nguyen , Shanmugam Murugesu , and Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam . The CNB's Preventive Education Unit (PEU)
759-441: The country, and if found guilty to be punished as if they committed that act within the country. Section 17 of the Misuse of Drugs Act lists the amount of controlled drugs beyond which, the person who carries them shall be presumed to possess them for the purpose of drug trafficking unless proven otherwise: The possession, consumption, manufacturing, import, export, or trafficking of these and other controlled drugs in any amount
792-561: The early 1970s a sudden heroin epidemic swept through the city state, addicting over 3% of the young male population within a couple of years, with virtually all of them chasing the dragon with low quality (less than 40% pure) Heroin Number 3. As Singapore is a small island nation with no exportable natural resources , its economic model at the time was based on added-value activities (such as factory work or sea-bourne cargo logistics ) from an industrious and efficient society, which
825-413: The keys to a premises containing the drugs, and that "Any person found in or escaping from any place or premises which is proved or presumed to be used for the purpose of smoking or administering a controlled drug shall, until the contrary is proved, be presumed to have been smoking or administering a controlled drug in that place or premises." Thus, one runs the risk of arrest for drug use by simply being in
858-652: The main character and antagonist of the film, where she portrayed a drug trafficker. CNB officers are public servants by law and are part of the Singapore Civil Service . The Director of CNB reports to the Minister for Home Affairs and Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs. All new Narcotics Officers must undergo a period of residential training in the Home Team Academy (HTA) and pass all required tests. Potential recruits can enter either as
891-470: The other officers then move in and arrest the suspect. The CNB has also worked with foreign agencies such as the American DEA to mount sting operations in Singapore, often by allowing an undercover DEA agent to pose as either a drug mule or a fellow drug trafficker, then having CNB officers move in to make an arrest after the drug transaction had been completed. Drug trafficking is commonly known in
924-642: The possibility of a large percentage of the population becoming unproductive due to drug addiction posed an enormous economic threat. The Government of Singapore responded with a zero tolerance policy regarding the abuse of all types of drugs, aiming to rapidly contain the sudden heroin epidemic via new laws that proscribed harsh punishments for both traffickers (such as the death penalty ) and consumers (including caning ) alike. "Once ensnared by drug dependence, they will no longer be productive digits contributing to our economy and social progress. They will not be able to carry on with their regular jobs. Usually for
957-407: The target by an informant, and then negotiate the purchase of wholesale amounts of narcotics while the meeting was being covertly observed by other CNB officers. The undercover officer would use considerable acting skills so as not to raise suspicion in the target, such as bargaining down the price rather than seeming too keen in accepting the first offer from the seller. Once the drugs are handed over,
990-608: The use of Glock 19 pistols as a standard issue sidearm. Officers are also trained and issued with expandable batons for less than lethal self-defense options, bulletproof vests and handcuffs for restrains. The CNB maintains a small, specialised and covert unit, the Special Task Force (STF), which carry out high risk operations such as vehicle pursuits, conducting house raids, forced entry, and performing round-the-clock surveillance of syndicate activities since 1997. Officers must have at least two years of experience in
1023-501: The worsening drug situation. New legislation was deemed to be necessary by then-Minister for Health Chua Sian Chin in Parliament in 1973. "The Dangerous Drugs Act (i.e. DDO) was enacted about 21 years ago and the controls provided therein are grossly inadequate for the 70's, with the introduction of a host of new drugs of medical value if properly used." The need was exacerbated by Singapore's geographical location and development into
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1056-565: The young men, they will turn to all sorts of crimes and, for the girls, to prostitution to get money to buy their badly needed supply of drugs. Thus, as a developing country, our progress and very survival will be seriously threatened" Minister for Home Affairs Chua Sian Chin addressing Parliament in 1975 regarding the threat heroin addiction posed to Singapore as a country The Misuse of Drugs Act 1973 classifies narcotic substances into three categories: Classes A, B, and C. Section 44 provides that "The Minister may, by an order published in
1089-584: Was formed in 1992 to focus solely on the formation and implementation of preventive drug education (PDE) programmes in Singapore. Such PDE programmes include the Anti-Drug Abuse Carnival 2015. Actor Jackie Chan was named in May 2015 as the first celebrity anti-drug ambassador of the country. In 2021, a short film titled Down The Rabbit Hole was created by the CNB to remind young people of the hazards of drug abuse. Actress Jasmine Sim starred as
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