Beware the candyman: Sweets containing cannabis seized in CNB raid

SINGAPORE – A total of 117 suspected drug offenders were arrested by the Central Narcotics Bureau in an islandwide operation between Oct 10 and 21. 

Drugs with an estimated street value of $19,000 were seized, including 38g of heroin, 52g of Ice, or crystal methamphetamine, 254g of cannabis, 180g of cannabis products, three cannabis plants, 4g of Ecstasy tablets, five LSD stamps and a bottle of liquid suspected to contain gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) – a psychoactive substance. 

Packets of candy, suspected to contain cannabis, were discovered by Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers at the Parcel Post Station.

On Friday, CNB said that to entice more youth to consume these products, drugs such as cannabis are added as ingredients to candy and baked goods, and irresponsibly marketed as food that can be consumed. 

CNB said: “Parents (should) play an active part to protect our youth from the menace of drugs, and to remind their children that they should not consume or accept products unknown to them or offered by strangers.” 

Some products containing cannabis may also be marketed as health products, such as cannabidiol (CBD) oil and hemp seed oil. 

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On Oct 15, ICA officers detected a parcel of five packets of candy suspected to contain cannabis. The case was referred to CNB for further investigations.

In a follow-up operation on the same day, CNB arrested two Singaporeans, a 23-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man, in a residential unit in Lorong Ah Soo. Drug paraphernalia were also seized from the unit.

Another suspected drug offender, a 30-year-old Singaporean man, was arrested on Wednesday. 

He was the intended recipient of 19 packets of candy suspected to contain cannabis, said CNB.

Three potted plants believed to be cannabis were also seized from his residential unit in Bedok Reservoir Road. 

CNB said that investigations are under way and that it is an offence to consume, possess, import, export or traffic any controlled drugs including cannabis and cannabis products. 

Those found guilty of cultivating the cannabis plant can be jailed for up to 20 years, fined up to $40,000, or both. 

Members of the public can call the CNB hotline on 1800-325-6666 if they come across suspected food products or are concerned that their children may be involved with drugs.

This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.