Spiderman? No, it's suspected drug trafficker evading arrest -- only to lose his footing

Six people including a pregnant woman were arrested for suspected drug offences in two Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) raids on Monday (Mar 20).

A total of about 437g of 'Ice', 1,322g of heroin, five 'Ecstasy' tablets, and 18 tablets suspected to contain controlled drugs were seized. They have a total estimated street value of $158,500.

The police had recovered items believed to be controlled drugs from a van during an enforcement operation around the vicinity of Kaki Bukit Avenue 3 in the early hours of Monday.

The driver of the van had fled the scene after crashing into a lamp post while attempting to evade the police. About 997g of heroin were recovered from the van.

CNB then launched an operation to arrest the driver of the van, it said in a news release.

The 28-year-old driver was nabbed for drug trafficking by CNB officers in a residential unit located in the vicinity of Bedok North Road on Monday evening.

About 137g of 'Ice', 87g of heroin and various drug paraphernalia were seized from the unit.

A 26-year-old pregnant woman was arrested in the unit for drug consumption. Her nine-month-old baby was also present in the flat.

"Appropriate arrangements were made to ensure that the welfare of the baby was taken care of and the baby was subsequently placed in the safe custody of a next-of-kin," CNB added.

In another operation the same evening, CNB officers raided a different residential unit in the vicinity of Bedok North Road.

Three men, aged 23, 25 and 30, and a 28-year-old woman were arrested for suspected drug trafficking offences.

During the raid, the 25-year-old man climbed out the bedroom window of the ninth-floor flat to evade arrest.

A CNB officer held on to the man, who continued to put up a struggle and lost his footing.

CNB said: "With the help of other officers, the man was pulled back to safety through the window and placed under arrest.

"The CNB officer sustained deep lacerations to his right hand while preventing the suspect from falling and was sent to the hospital for medical treatment."

About 300g of 'Ice', 238g of heroin, five 'Ecstasy’ tablets, 18 tablets suspected to contain controlled drugs and various drug paraphernalia were recovered from the bottom of the block of flats and from within the residential unit.

Superintendent William Tan, Senior Assistant Director of Intelligence Operations, said: "Drug abuse affects not only the individual, but the families and our community at large.

"In one of the operations on March 20, a suspected drug offender had total disregard of his own safety and that of others while attempting to evade arrest.

"This turned into a life and death situation when our officer, who was arresting the suspect, had to hold on to the suspect when the latter lost his footing.

"Our officers have to make split second decisions during operations, even placing themselves in great danger to ensure the safe arrest of suspects."

The seizure of 437g of ‘Ice’ can feed the addiction of about 250 abusers for a week, while the seizure of 1,322g of heroin can feed the addiction of about 630 abusers for a week.

Investigations into the drug activities of all arrested suspects are ongoing.