Drug-related arrests at Singapore checkpoints up 53% in 2025: ICA, CNB

Drug-related arrests at Singapore's checkpoints rose by about 53 per cent in 2025, with 975 arrests made for offences including drug importation, possession and consumption, up from 2024.

In a joint statement on Tuesday (Sept 29), the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) and Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) said the increase reflects both the persistent drug threat at Singapore's borders and strengthened detection and enforcement efforts.

In most cases involving drug concealment, the drugs were found hidden within personal belongings or vehicle compartments, they said.

In 2025, the agencies conducted a total of 1,417 joint operations at the checkpoints, an increase of about 34 per cent from 2024.

Among the notable cases in 2025 was the detection of drugs in a Malaysian-registered car at Woodlands Checkpoint on Dec 22.

Based on information from ICA, its officers referred the vehicle, driven by a 39-year-old Malaysian man, for enhanced checks.

Two black bundles believed to contain controlled drugs were found in his bag. CNB officers subsequently seized about 3,272g of cannabis and 1,709g of methamphetamine, commonly known as Ice.

Under Section 7 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973, those who import into or export from Singapore more than 250g of methamphetamine or 500g of cannabis may face the death penalty.

Speaking to the media at Woodlands Checkpoint on Tuesday, Guo Jingwen, CNB's deputy commanding officer of enforcement at the Woodlands division, said suspected drug cases detected at checkpoints can lead to further investigations and arrests beyond the checkpoints.

"When a suspected drug case detected at checkpoint, CNB will assess and follow up on the variable needs," said Guo.

"CNB works closely with ICA to detect drug smuggling attempts, and through follow-up actions beyond our checkpoints, disrupt the wider drug trafficking activities."

More targeted checks at checkpoints

To strengthen border security, ICA and CNB have stepped up upstream risk assessment and targeting, enhanced officer capabilities, the use of technology and inter-agency co-operation.

"Drug traffickers continue to adapt their methods and explore new modus operandi to evade detection at Singapore’s borders," said the agencies.

"To counter this evolving threat, ICA and CNB have strengthened Singapore's border security regime through upstream risk assessment and targeting, enhanced officers' capabilities, use of technology and close inter-agency co-operation."

As part of these efforts, ICA set up its Integrated Targeting Centre to support the New Clearance Concept, which was introduced in 2024.

The centre conducts pre-arrival risk assessments using advance information and data analytics to identify high-risk travellers, vehicles and cargo for enhanced checks, enabling more targeted detection of drug-smuggling attempts.

ICA has also redeployed officers from manual counter duties to higher-value functions such as profiling, targeted interviews and investigations.

Their training includes role-play, simulations and the use of a 3D interactive vehicle to help them identify common concealment areas and tell-tale indicators.

ICA image analysts are also trained to detect anomalies in scanned images of baggage, vehicles and cargo for further checks.

These capabilities are supported by technologies such as X-ray scanners and explosive and narcotic trace detectors, which are deployed at checkpoints to detect concealed drugs or traces of narcotics.

CNB also uses saliva test kits to screen for suspected drug consumption, as well as portable devices and drug identification kits that can detect a wider range of controlled substances and produce results within minutes.

xingying.koh@asiaone.com

2025 年，新加坡关卡的涉毒逮捕人数比 2024 年增加了约 53%，共有 975 人因毒品进口、持有和吸食等罪行被捕。

新加坡移民与关卡局 (ICA) 和中央肃毒局 (CNB) 于周二（9 月 29 日）发表联合声明称，毒品走私案件的增加反映了新加坡边境持续存在的毒品威胁以及加强的侦查和执法力度。

他们说，在大多数涉及藏匿毒品的案件中，毒品都是在个人物品或车辆隔间内发现的。

2025 年，各机构在检查站共开展了 1417 次联合行动，比 2024 年增加了约 34%。

2025 年的重大案件之一是 12 月 22 日在兀兰关卡在一辆马来西亚注册的汽车中查获毒品。

根据移民与关卡局（ICA）提供的信息，其官员将这辆由一名39岁马来西亚男子驾驶的车辆移交进行更严格的检查。

警方在他的包里发现了两个疑似装有管制药物的黑色包裹。随后，中央肃毒局人员查获了约3272克大麻和1709克甲基苯丙胺（俗称冰毒）。

根据 1973 年《滥用毒品法》第 7 条规定，向新加坡进口或出口超过 250 克甲基苯丙胺或 500 克大麻的人可能面临死刑。

周二，中央肃毒局兀兰分局执法副指挥官郭敬文在兀兰关卡接受媒体采访时表示，在关卡发现的涉嫌毒品案件可能会导致关卡之外的进一步调查和逮捕。

郭说：“当检查站发现疑似毒品案件时，中央肃毒局将根据各种需求进行评估和跟进。”

“中央肃毒局与移民与关卡局密切合作，侦查毒品走私企图，并通过检查站以外的后续行动，打击更广泛的毒品贩运活动。”

在检查站进行更有针对性的检查

为了加强边境安全，ICA 和 CNB 加强了上游风险评估和目标设定、提升了官员能力、技术应用和机构间合作。

“毒贩不断调整手段，探索新的作案手法，以逃避新加坡边境的侦查，”相关机构表示。

“为了应对这一不断演变的威胁，移民与关卡局 (ICA) 和中央肃毒局 (CNB) 通过上游风险评估和目标设定、提升官员能力、运用科技以及密切的跨部门合作，加强了新加坡的边境安全机制。”

作为这些努力的一部分，ICA 设立了综合目标中心，以支持 2024 年推出的新清剿概念。

该中心利用预先信息和数据分析进行入境前风险评估，以识别高风险旅客、车辆和货物，从而加强检查，更有针对性地发现毒品走私企图。

ICA 还把警员从人工柜台工作重新部署到更高价值的职能，例如背景调查、有针对性的面谈和调查。

他们的训练包括角色扮演、模拟和使用 3D 互动车辆来帮助他们识别常见的隐蔽区域和蛛丝马迹。

ICA图像分析师还接受过培训，能够检测行李、车辆和货物的扫描图像中的异常情况，以便进行进一步检查。

这些能力得到了X射线扫描仪、爆炸物和毒品痕迹探测器等技术的支持，这些设备部署在检查站，用于检测隐藏的毒品或毒品痕迹。

中央缉毒局还使用唾液检测试剂盒筛查疑似吸毒者，以及便携式设备和毒品识别试剂盒，这些设备可以检测更广泛的管制物质，并在几分钟内得出结果。

邢英.koh@asiaone.com