Operation Coconut Kick‑off: 300 g of Ketamine, 66 k Dollars, and an Unexpectedly Stuffed Fruit
On Tuesday, July 21, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) turned a routine drug search into something straight out of a spy thriller. They found over 300 g of ketamine nestled inside a coconut—yes, that’s right, a “pool‑side” fruit that’s now officially a risk‑classified item.
The Team‑Up
- Three suspects: two Singaporeans (ages 50 and 60) and one Malaysian (37)
- All were linked to suspected drug trafficking, and the haul was worth more than $66,000
- In addition to ketamine, the squad seized methamphetamine (Ice) and Ecstasy tablets
At the Scene: Upper Serangoon Road
The CNB installed a scene‑setting team in a busy stretch of Upper Serangoon Road. There, a 37‑year‑old Malaysian was hand‑shaky, passing what looked like a “pack” of drugs to a 50‑year‑old Singaporean. Quick‑fire arrest ensued.
In the Malaysian’s pocket, a 1 g packet of Ice was discovered.
Raid on the Residential Unit
Not one but two raids happened. The 50‑year‑old was taken into custody and another 60‑year‑old Singaporean was brought in again. This is how the pile‑shed inventory looked:
- 36 g of Ice, 1 g of ketamine, 22 Ecstasy tablets, and $6,000 in cash
- A coconut holding 317 g of ketamine (the real “fruit bomb”)
The unit also revealed:
- 236 g of Ice
- 122 Ecstasy tablets
- 2 Erimin‑5 tablets
- Other drug paraphernalia (shoes, bags, etc.)
Distribution Impact
CNB’s math says the 273 g of Ice seized could keep roughly 156 people hooked for a full week.
Next Steps
Investigations are still in the pipeline. The CNB remains on the case, ready to crack down further if it seems there’s more “coconut” left to handle.
Content first published in The Straits Times. Royalty and permissions are required for any re‑use.
