Singapore’s CNB joins forces with the US, Brunei, New Zealand, and Australia to dismantle the syndicate

A coordinated international sting led by Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) and global counterparts has seized over 100kg of methamphetamine, disrupting a transnational drug trafficking syndicate with ties from Mexico to the Asia-Pacific.

Singapore’s Key Role in the April Seizure

In April 2025, CNB intercepted freight parcels transiting through Singapore from the US to New Zealand. The parcels contained more than 10kg of methamphetamine, also known as Ice. Follow-up investigations revealed similar consignments were headed for Australia and New Zealand, prompting CNB to alert its foreign partners.

Multinational Agencies Coordinate

The operation brought together the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Narcotics Control Bureau of Brunei (NCB), New Zealand Customs and Police, the Australian Federal Police (AFP), and the Australian Border Force (ABF). Intelligence sharing allowed multiple countries to intercept shipments at their borders.

Major Seizures Across the Region

• Brunei: Between November 2024 and April 2025, the NCB seized 49kg of meth concealed in electronics and routed through courier services.
• New Zealand: Customs intercepted two shipments in April and June totaling 10kg, valued at NZ$3 million (S$2.2 million).
• Australia: In May, AFP and ABF seized 40kg of meth hidden in furniture, coffee, and mustard shipments, worth an estimated A$37 million (S$33 million).

Tracing the Syndicate’s Origins

The DEA revealed that the syndicate under investigation is linked to Mexico, where cartels have been shipping drugs through the US into the Asia-Pacific to access more lucrative markets. Investigations into the syndicate’s full network are ongoing in the United States.

Singapore’s Firm Warning

CNB deputy director of operations Aaron Tang stressed that syndicates seeking to exploit Singapore’s position as a global logistics hub “will not find us to be a safe haven nor safe route for their illegal activities.” He affirmed Singapore’s commitment to intelligence-sharing and global partnerships.

Strengthening Global Cooperation

Authorities from New Zealand and Australia praised the collaboration, calling it a “valued and effective” partnership that underscores the importance of intelligence-led targeting. The DEA’s Asia-Pacific head, John Scott, added that cooperation is key to curbing cartel expansions into Asia and Oceania.

The multinational drug bust highlights Singapore’s role in safeguarding global trade routes from criminal exploitation. For both Singaporeans and Indonesians, the case demonstrates the growing reach of international syndicates and the urgent need for cross-border cooperation to keep communities safe.

Sources: AsiaOne (2025) , CNA (2025)

Keywords: Central Narcotics Bureau, Drug Enforcement Administration, Methamphetamine Seizure, International Syndicate, Cross Border Operation