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About 2.682kg of heroin was seized by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) on Apr. 17, 2024, according to a press release.
A 45-year-old Singaporean man was arrested on suspicions of drug trafficking. In addition, 20g of "Ecstasy", 10g of "Ice", 10g of cannabis and two Erimin-5, or Nimetazepam, tablets were seized. The drugs were estimated to be worth about S$286,000 and were estimated to be able to feed the addiction of 1,280 abusers for a week, CNB said. May face death penalty CNB officers arrested the man in the vicinity of MacPherson Lane. The man was carrying a black pouch, which was found to contain about 239g of heroin. Officers proceeded to raid the man's hideout located in the vicinity of Jalan Chengkek, and recovered about 2.443kg of heroin and the rest of the drugs. Investigations are currently ongoing. Anyone found guilty of trafficking more than 15g of heroin may face the death penalty. A 49-year-old woman, Gan Hui Ling, was jailed three months and two weeks for making a nuisance of herself at home, kicking two police officers, including one in the groin, and hurling vulgarities at them, even after she was arrested.
The incident occurred on Jul. 8, 2022. For her actions during, she was convicted on four charges, two of which pertained to voluntarily causing hurt to a public servant, while another two were for using abusive words towards a public servant. She was also convicted on a fifth charge of stealing wine from a Giant supermarket located at Suntec City on Dec. 25, 2023. A total of 10 other charges were also taken into consideration. What happened on Jul. 8, 2022 Got into argument with sister-in-law According to court documents seen by reporters, Gan had gone to the Tanglin Club with her son to meet a longtime schoolmate. While she was there, she consumed some whiskey and three cocktails. She returned home shortly after 9pm to find that her sisters-in-law were visiting their mother-in-law. An argument soon broke out between Gan and one of her sisters-in-law. Gan's second sister-in-law intervened and attempted to defuse the situation by bringing Gan to her room. Meanwhile, Gan's mother-in-law went into her own room with the other sister-in-law, where they remained with the door closed. However, Gan headed over to her mother's-in-law room, and began kicking on the closed door. Her first sister-in-law called the police in response. Behaved aggressively towards the police officers Five police officers eventually arrived at the scene. They noticed that Gan was lying in her room on her bed, and reeked of alcohol. When they attempted to interview Gan about her dispute with her sister-in-law, Gan turned aggressive and attempted to walk towards her sister-in-law, who was in the living room, to confront her. When the police officers separated Gan from her relatives and restrained her so as to calm her down, she resisted and physically assaulted the police officers. Kicked male officer in groin, hurled vulgarities after her arrest She kicked one male officer on his groin and kicked another female officer twice — once on her left knee and once on her abdomen area. She also scolded the female officer, saying, "You think you police are big f*ck ah?" She was arrested and brought to Police Cantonment Complex, where she continued swearing at both officers whom she had kicked with Hokkien vulgarities, such as "k**ina" and "c*ee b*e". Both officers sought treatment at Tan Tock Seng hospital the day after her arrest. The male officer was given a day of medical leave while the female officer was given two. Prosecution: Accused has little respect for law and authority In their sentencing submissions, the prosecution noted that Gan had little respect for law and authority, as shown by her behaviour towards the police officers on Apr. 8. The prosecution also noted that Gan had engaged in shop theft while she was out on bail over the Jul. 8, 2022 incident. In light of such behaviour, the prosecution said a sentence ranging from three months and three weeks to five months and six weeks would be appropriate. Han said during her mitigation that she had been under mental and financial pressure. She also expressed regret and said she would like to change her future, return to her family and contribute to society. The judge noted that all of Gan's offences were related to alcohol and advised her to stop drinking. A video of Singapore law enforcement sawing through a gate to gain entry into a Housing and Development Board flat surfaced on TikTok.
The incident occurred at Block 57 Lengkok Bahru on Apr. 17 at around 8am. In the video, sparks could be seen as officers sawed through the metal gate before gaining entry. In response to reporters queries, the Singapore Police Force confirmed that they received a call for assistance at Block 57 Lengkok Bahru at 7:50am on Apr. 17. When the police officers arrived, a 59-year-old man had locked himself in his residential unit. The police assessed that the man might pose a danger to himself, and officers from the Special Operations Command, Crisis Negotiation Unit and Singapore Civil Defence Force responded to the incident. At 10:50am, SPF managed to gain entry into the unit. No injuries were reported. The man was subsequently apprehended under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act 2008. He is currently under investigation by the Central Narcotics Bureau for a drug-related offence. Angel's Restaurant at Bedok North Street 5 was fined S$3,300 on April 17 for food safety lapses.
In January 2023, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) received reports of gastroenteritis involving 19 people who consumed catered food prepared by the restaurant. No one was hospitalised. MOH and SFA conducted a joint investigation and multiple food safety lapses were found at the restaurant's premises. These included severe cockroach infestation at food preparation areas, peeling wall paint and cracked, and discoloured floor tiles. SFA suspended the restaurant's business operations from Jan. 20 to Feb. 28, 2023. The restaurant was made to rectify the lapses and take necessary measures to improve the food safety practices and cleanliness of its premises. Offenders convicted face a fine not exceeding S$2,000, and, in the case of a continuing offence, to a further fine not exceeding S$100 for every day or part thereof during which the offence continues after conviction. Food processing & repacking at unlicensed premises Another company was also fined on the same day for food safety violations. Ma Bo (Fried Fish) Lor Mee was fined S$2,000 for processing and repacking food products at an unlicensed premises. The dried food products supplier's company premises was inspected on Oct. 13, 2023. Food processing and repacking activities were found to have been conducted within the premises. The company is not licensed to conduct any food processing and repacking activities. Approximately 600kg of food products were seized. These included pre-packed products, such as cinnamon, premixed flour, rock sugar, soy sauce, processed chili paste, and ground dried shrimp. All food processing and repacking establishments in Singapore must be licensed and are required to meet SFA’s requirements and food safety standards. These licensed establishments are also routinely inspected. Those convicted of illegally processing and repacking food products can face a fine not exceeding S$5,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding S$10,000, or a jail term not exceeding three months, or both. SINGAPORE – The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has ordered the recall of honey dates imported from China by Yan Tai Yit, after detecting an undeclared sulphur dioxide allergen that could cause allergic reactions in some people.
Consumers who have purchased the affected product, which has a best before date of March 2, 2025, and those who are intolerant of sulphite or allergic to it are advised not to consume the product, SFA said on April 18. The recall is ongoing. Sulphite is commonly used as a food additive and is typically tested for sulphur dioxide. While sulphite does not pose a food safety issue to consumers at large, having excessive levels of sulphur dioxide in food can cause allergic reactions in some individuals who are hypersensitive to sulphite, SFA said. They may develop hives, itchiness, stomachache, diarrhoea, and vomiting. SFA said under Singapore’s food regulations, food products containing ingredients that are known to cause hypersensitivity must be declared on food packaging labels to protect those with food allergies. “All ingredients in pre-packed food should also be specified on the product label in descending order of the proportions by weight in which they are present,” it added. Those who have consumed the honey dates and have concerns about their health should seek medical advice. SFA added that consumers may contact their point of purchase for inquiries. The body of a 60-year-old man was found by his mother in a Chinatown flat at Block 51 Chin Swee Road on Apr. 16, 2024 at around 1pm.
The 80-year-old woman, identified as Chen (transliteration), was having a nap before waking up to find her son lying motionless in the bedroom of their home. She said her son's bed was opposite hers and she then called a friend who lived nearby for help to rouse her son up. The friend then informed the authorities when the man did not wake up. It was reported that Chen watched as her son's body was removed from her home. Chen said her son had been suffering from depression and was on medication. He had apparently developed a gambling habit some 20 years ago after following into bad company, and subsequently lost a lot of money, and was possibly in debt. Man suffered from depression A neighbour told reporters that the police were seen at the scene around 2pm. "I heard that her son had passed away. They lived in the unit and there was not much movement," the neighbour said. However, Chen revealed that her son would get physical and raise his voice at her whenever she tried to dissuade him from gambling. She said she was afraid her neighbours could hear the commotion. Now that she is alone, she told reporters that she will be strong and carry on, even though she was dependent on her son. According to reporters, police confirmed that they received a report of an unnatural death at 1:30pm on Apr. 16. Preliminary investigations revealed no foul play was involved. Investigations are ongoing. SINGAPORE - The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has ordered the recall of a fish curry product imported from India after it was found to contain a chemical product that is a pesticide not authorised for use in food.
The recall of Everest Fish Curry Masala, imported by Sp Muthiah & Sons, is ongoing. This came after the Centre for Food Safety in Hong Kong had the product recalled due to the presence of ethylene oxide that exceeded the permissible limit, the SFA said in a statement on April 18. Ethylene oxide is not authorised for use in food, but it can be used to fumigate agricultural products to prevent microbial contamination. Under Singapore’s food regulations, the use of ethylene oxide is allowed for the sterilisation of spices. While there is no immediate risk to consuming food contaminated with low levels of ethylene oxide, SFA said long-term exposure to the chemical may lead to health issues. Hence, exposure to this substance should be minimised. SFA advised those who have bought the fish curry, which has an expiry date of September 2025, not to consume it. Those who have consumed it and have concerns about their health should seek medical advice. SFA added that consumers may contact their point of purchase for inquiries. $45k fine for foreigner who bankrolled deals linked to purchase of 3 houses worth millions4/18/2024 SINGAPORE – A Chinese national was fined $45,000 on April 18 for breaching a law under the Residential Property Act (RPA) that had been rolled out to prevent foreigners from speculating in local residential properties.
This could lead to a rise in home prices and adversely affect the interests of Singaporeans. Zhan Guotuan, 59, a Singapore permanent resident at the time of the offences, had provided the money to buy three landed properties in East Coast Road worth more than $6 million in total. In earlier proceedings, the court heard that none of the three houses were “non-restricted residential properties”. Therefore, foreigners were normally not entitled to buy them. In 2007, Zhan was a shareholder of two companies – Alphaland International and Xin An Technology Group – that were in the business of property development in Singapore. The business plan was to buy landed properties here, demolish those houses, develop condominiums on the land and sell the condominium units for profit. On April 16, he pleaded guilty to an offence under the RPA linked to one of the houses identified in court documents as Z. Three other charges, including two under the same Act involving the other properties, were considered during sentencing. These two houses were identified in court documents as X and Y. The prosecution had told the court on April 16 that the “prime mover” in this case was Zhan’s trusted business associate, Tan Hui Meng, a Singaporean. After a trial, Tan, 57, was sentenced to jail for two years, three months and three weeks in March. He was also fined $3,000. Deputy public prosecutors Foo Shi Hao and Louis Ngia had stated in court documents: “(Tan) was the one who had conceived of the East Coast plan to purchase seven landed properties for redevelopment, and to buy (the three houses) in trust. “(Tan) was also the one who had made the arrangements for the purchases. (Zhan’s) offending conduct was in authorising (the acquisitions)... when the plan had already been conceived.” According to Tan, the estimated profit from the land redevelopment in East Coast Road was over $50 million, and he was to get 20 per cent of the profits from two of Zhan’s companies. Zhan was overseas some time in or around early 2007 when Tan entered into a plan to pursue Zhan’s property development business in East Coast Road on the Chinese national’s behalf. X and Y were then bought with Zhan’s money. In earlier proceedings, the court heard that one of the houses was transferred to Tan in May 2007. According to court documents, the other house was bought in the name of Guan Aimei, the wife of one of Alphaland’s employees. Its legal title was transferred to her on July 2, 2007, and she had been fined $5,000 over her role in the offence. On July 13, 2007, Tan procured an option to buy Z. He also incorporated a firm called Hwampoa, which had no employees and no business operations. Instead, it was formed for the sole purpose of purchasing and holding the East Coast Road properties. Zhan later authorised Hwampoa to acquire Z, which was bought for $2.4 million. The prosecution had earlier asked for Zhan to be given the maximum fine, adding that they would have sought a jail sentence for him if not for several mitigating factors. Among other things, Z was later sold and Hwampoa voluntarily surrendered $2.1 million. Zhan had also voluntarily surrendered another $2.3 million. After committing the offences, Zhan was charged in a Singapore district court in 2017 before he returned to China. He was overseas when he had a warrant of arrest issued against him in 2022. He finally returned here on March 1, 2024. SINGAPORE - Some residents at Block 131B Kim Tian Road woke up on April 17 to find that their water supply had been cut off.
The disruption, which lasted at least six hours, was caused by a burst underground pipe, a spokesperson for the Tanjong Pagar Town Council said in response to queries. The spokesperson added that 16 units from the second to fifth floors of the block were affected by the incident. The other floors in the 30-storey Housing Board block, as well as the other blocks in the estate, were not affected. Reporters reported that a resident noticed the outage at 5am on April 17. The town council spokesperson told reporters that the water supply was restored by 11am that same day, after contractors made a “temporary connection” to the water supply for the affected units. PUB and town council staff distributed bags of water to residents from 8am, the spokesperson said, adding that contractors also installed water taps for residents to draw water near the rubbish chute area from the ground floor to the fifth. Town council staff also went door to door to inform residents about the burst pipe, and notices were put up at lift lobbies. Reporters reported that a resident said her family planned to use shower facilities nearby, and another resident said he decided to work from home because of the incident. This is the second reported water disruption in HDB flats within a week. On April 13, residents of Block 485 Segar Road experienced a three-hour water disruption caused by a defective relay switch in the block’s control panel. SINGAPORE - Cordlife’s board of directors on April 17 lodged a police report over potential wrongdoings, amid an internal probe.
Processes at the cord blood banking company have been in the spotlight after it was revealed on Nov 30, 2023, that cryopreserved cord blood units in seven of its 22 storage tanks were exposed to suboptimal storage temperatures. In one of the seven tanks, Tank A, 2,200 cord blood units were rendered unsuitable for stem cell transplants. In a bourse filing on April 18, Cordlife said: “Based on the preliminary findings of internal investigations conducted by an external consultant engaged by the Committee of Inquiry, or COI, (which are still ongoing), and the information available, the COI is of the view that it has uncovered preliminary evidence of potential wrongdoings involving mostly former employees of the group in connection with the Tank A incident.” The company added that it had convened the COI to understand how the incident happened and prevent future occurrences. In the filing, the board said the police report was made without two directors – Mr Zhai Lingyun and Ms Chen Xiaoling. They are nominee directors of Nanjing Xinjiekou Department Store, which has a 20.3 per cent stake in Cordlife. Cordlife said it will offer its full cooperation to the relevant authorities for investigations in connection with the police report. Reporters has contacted the police for more information. As it stands, damage to 7,500 cord blood units from Tank A, another tank and a dry shipper has been confirmed. The five remaining tanks, which store about 14,000 cord blood units, have been deemed by the health authorities to be at low-risk of being affected by temperature lapses, and further testing to generate more conclusive results is set to be ready in one year’s time. This timeline has been contested by international cord blood banking experts, who said that it can be done in eight to 10 weeks, but Cordlife maintained that the one-year timeline is based on the current testing capacity of qualified labs here that have the expertise for this type of testing. Group chief executive Ivan Yiu said that in the meantime, Cordlife shareholders and potential investors should exercise caution when dealing in the shares of the company. “They should consult their stockbrokers, bank managers, solicitors, or other professional advisers if they have any doubt about the actions they should take,” he said in the filing. He added that the company would update its shareholders and the investing public of material developments. |
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