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Viewing cable 08SINGAPORE1160, 2008-2009 INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL STRATEGY REPORT

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08SINGAPORE1160 2008-11-03 01:37 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Singapore
VZCZCXRO1221
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHGP #1160/01 3080137
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 030137Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5944
INFO RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 SINGAPORE 001160 
 
STATE FOR INL JOHN LYLE 
JUSTICE FOR OIA AND ARMLS 
TREASURY FOR FINCEN 
DEA FOR OILS AND OFFICE OF DIVERSION CONTROL 
CIA FOR CNC 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KCRM SNAR ECON ETRD PREL SN
SUBJECT: 2008-2009 INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL STRATEGY REPORT 
(INCSR) PART I, DRUGS AND CHEMICAL CONTROL 
 
REF:  STATE 100989 
 
1.  (U) Per reftel instructions, Post submits its draft 2008-2009 
International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, Part I - Drug and 
Chemical Control. 
 
2.  (SBU) Begin Text: 
 
I. Summary 
 
The Government of Singapore (GOS) enforces stringent 
counter-narcotics policies through strict laws -- including the 
death penalty and corporal punishment -- vigorous law enforcement, 
and active prevention programs.  Singapore is not a producer of 
precursor chemicals or narcotics, but as a major regional financial 
and transportation center it is potentially an attractive target for 
money launderers and those engaged in drug transshipment.  Singapore 
is widely recognized as one of the least corrupt countries in the 
world.  Corruption cases involving Singapore's counter-narcotics and 
law enforcement agencies are rare, and their officers regularly 
attend U.S.-sponsored training programs as well as regional forums 
on drug control.  Singapore is a party to the 1988 United Nations 
Drug Convention. 
 
II. Status of Country 
 
In 2007, there was no known production of illicit narcotics or 
precursor chemicals in Singapore.  While Singapore itself is not a 
known transit point for illicit drugs or precursor chemicals, it is 
one of the busiest transshipment ports in the world.  The sheer 
volume of cargo passing through makes it likely that some illicit 
shipments of drugs and chemicals move undetected.  With few 
exceptions, Singapore does not screen containerized shipments unless 
they enter its customs territory.  Neither Singapore Customs nor the 
Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) keep data on in-transit 
or transshipped cargo unless there is a Singapore consignee involved 
in the shipment. 
 
According to GOS figures, in 2007 authorities arrested 2,166 drug 
abusers, compared to 1,218 arrests in 2006.  Importantly, the 
increase in arrests by the GOS most likely does not represent an 
increase in narcotics trafficking, but rather the result of an 
August 2006 amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) that added 
buprenorphine hydrochloride, the active ingredient in the opiate 
Subutex, as a Class A controlled drug, and subsequent enforcement 
action by the Singapore Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB).  According 
to GOS statistics, in 2007 the number of first-time drug offenders 
increased from 477 arrests in 2006 to 520 arrests in 2007.  In 2007 
repeat drug offenders also increased with 1,661 arrested, compared 
to 741 arrested in 2006.  Similarly, and consistent with previous 
years, abusers of synthetic drugs, including methamphetamine, MDMA, 
Erimin-5 buprenorphine hydrochloride and nimetazepam, comprise 63 
percent of total drug abusers.  The most significant increase is 
registered in the number of heroin abusers.  In 2006 heroin 
offenders accounted for only 9.7 percent of total drug abusers, but 
this increased to 31 percent of total drug abusers in 2007. 
Conversely, decreases were observed in the number of MDMA, Ketamine 
and Nimetazepam abusers in 2007. 
 
III. Country Actions Against Drugs in 2007 
 
Policy Initiatives 
------------------ 
 
Singapore continues to pursue a strategy of demand and supply 
reduction for drugs.  The GOS has worked closely with numerous 
international groups dedicated to drug education, including the 
Partnership for a Drug-Free America.  In addition to arresting drug 
traffickers, Singapore focuses on arresting and detaining drug 
abusers for treatment and rehabilitation, providing drug 
detoxification and rehabilitation, and offering vigorous drug 
education in its schools.  Singaporean citizens and permanent 
residents are subject to random drug tests.  The Misuse of Drugs Act 
gives the Singapore Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) the authority to 
commit drug abusers to rehabilitation centers for mandatory 
treatment and rehabilitation.  Since 1999, individuals testing 
positive for consumption of narcotics have been held accountable for 
narcotics consumed abroad as well as in Singapore. 
 
Singapore has continued efforts to curb synthetic drug abuse, of 
which Ketamine is the most prevalent.  Amendments to the Misuse of 
Drugs Act in 2006 designated Ketamine as a Class A Controlled Drug 
 
SINGAPORE 00001160  002 OF 004 
 
 
and increased penalties for trafficking accordingly.  An individual 
in possession of more than 113g of Ketamine is presumed to be 
trafficking in the drug and can face maximum penalties of 20 years 
imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane. 
 
Additional amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act also established 
long term imprisonment penalties for repeat synthetic drug abusers. 
Those arrested for a third time are subject to up to seven years 
imprisonment and seven strokes of the cane, and up to 13 years 
imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane for subsequent offenses. 
Singapore's long term imprisonment regime, first introduced in 1998, 
is considered a contributing factor in curbing the country's heroin 
use. 
 
The Misuse of Drugs Act now classifies buprenorphine, the active 
ingredient in Subutex, as a Class A Controlled Drug.  Unless 
dispensed by a licensed physician or practitioner, the importation, 
distribution, possession and consumption of Subutex is a felony 
offense.  Subutex, first introduced by the Ministry of Health in 
2000, is a heroin substitute clinically used in the 
detoxification/rehabilitation of heroin addicts.  Drug abusers were 
found to be abusing Subutex by mixing it with other drugs, mainly 
Dormicum, a prescription sleeping pill.  Buprenorphine was the most 
commonly abused drug in Singapore in 2006, involved in more than 
one-third of total narcotics offenses. 
 
Law Enforcement Efforts 
----------------------- 
 
As noted above, arrests for drug-related offenses increased 43.7 
percent, from 1,218 arrests in 2006 to 2,166 arrests in 2007, a 
reflection of new enforcement measures under the amended Misuse of 
Drugs Act.  These statistics include persons arrested for 
trafficking, possession, and consumption of illegal drugs.  The 
majority of drug-related arrests in 2007 were of abusers of 
buprenorphine, at 38 percent, followed by heroin at 31 percent. 
Abuse of synthetic drugs including Ecstasy, methamphetamine, 
Ketamine and nimetazepam accounted for 26 percent of drug arrests. 
Singapore recorded no cocaine-related seizures or arrests in 2007. 
Of the total arrests, 520 involved new drug abusers. 
 
In 2007, authorities executed 31 major enforcement operations which 
dismantled 27 drug syndicates.  A majority of these arrests were 
conducted during sweeps of drug distribution groups, which were 
infiltrated by undercover Singapore narcotics officers.  CNB 
officers frequently perform undercover work, purchasing small, 
personal-use amounts of narcotics from generally low and mid-level 
traffickers and drug abusers.  These sweeps often produce additional 
arrests when subjects present at arrest scenes test positive for 
narcotics in their system. 
 
Singapore's CNB seized the following quantities of narcotics in 
2007:  17.2 kg of heroin; 30.3 kg of cannabis; 7,029 tablets of 
MDMA; 1.48 kg of crystal Methamphetamine; 518 tablets of tablet 
Methamphetamine; 4.6 kg of Ketamine; 24,881 Nimetazepam tablets; and 
3,435 buprenorphine tablets. 
 
Corruption 
---------- 
 
Singapore's Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) actively 
investigates allegations of corruption at all levels of government. 
Neither the government nor any senior government official is 
believed to engage in, encourage or facilitate the production or 
distribution of narcotics or other controlled substances, or the 
laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions.  The CNB is 
charged with the enforcement of Singapore's counter narcotics laws. 
Its officers and other elements of the Singapore Police Force are 
well-trained professional investigators. 
 
Agreements and Treaties 
----------------------- 
 
Singapore is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention, the 1961 UN 
Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1972 Protocol amending the 
Single Convention, and the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic 
Substances.  Singapore and the United States continue to cooperate 
in extradition matters under the colonial-era 1931 U.S.-UK 
Extradition Treaty.  Singapore and the United States signed a Drug 
Designation Agreement (DDA) in November 2000, a mutual legal 
assistance agreement limited to drug cases.  Singapore has signed 
mutual legal assistance agreements with Hong Kong and ASEAN.  The 
 
SINGAPORE 00001160  003 OF 004 
 
 
United States and Singapore have held discussions on a possible 
bilateral Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), most recently in 
December 2005, although there have been no formal negotiations since 
2004.  Singapore has signed, but has not ratified, the UN Convention 
against Transnational Organized Crime and the UN Corruption 
Convention.  In April 2006, Singapore amended domestic legislation 
to allow for mutual legal assistance cooperation with countries with 
which they do not have a bilateral treaty. 
 
Cultivation/Production 
---------------------- 
 
There was no known cultivation or production of narcotics in 
Singapore in 2007. 
 
Drug Flow/Transit 
----------------- 
 
Singapore is one of the busiest seaports in the world. 
Approximately 80 percent of the goods flowing through its port are 
in transit or are transshipped and do not enter Singapore's customs 
area.  Similarly, the Port of Singapore is the second largest 
transshipment port in the world for cargo containers destined for 
the United States.  According to GOS statistics during 2007, at the 
maritime Port of Singapore shipping tonnage reached 1,459 million 
gross tons (GT).  This represents an increase of 11 percent from the 
1,315 million GT record set in 2006.  Given the extraordinary volume 
of cargo shipped through the port, it is highly likely that some of 
it contains illicit materials, although Singapore is not a known 
transit point for illicit drugs or precursor chemicals.  Singapore 
does not require shipping lines to submit data on the declared 
contents of transshipment or transit cargo unless there is a 
Singapore consignee to the transaction.  The lack of such 
information creates enforcement challenges.  Singapore Customs 
authorities rely on intelligence to uncover and interdict illegal 
shipments.  They reported no seizures of transshipped cargoes 
involving illicit narcotics shipments in 2007.  GOS officials have 
been reluctant to impose tighter reporting or inspection 
requirements at the port, citing concerns that inspections could 
interfere with the free flow of goods, jeopardizing Singapore's 
position as the region's primary transshipment port. 
 
However, Singapore has increased its scrutiny of shipped goods, 
primarily as part of an enhanced posture to combat terrorism and 
control the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and 
their precursors.  Singapore became the first Asian port to join the 
Container Security Initiative (CSI) in 2003, under which U.S. 
Customs personnel prescreen U.S.-bound cargo.  Singapore also 
participates in other counterterrorism-related programs such as the 
Proliferation Security Initiative and the Megaports Initiative. 
Singapore's export control law went into effect in 2003, and it is 
implementing an expanded strategic goods control list that took 
effect in January 2008.  While these initiatives aim to prevent WMD 
from entering the United States, the increased scrutiny and 
information they generate could also aid drug interdiction efforts. 
 
Singapore is a major regional aviation hub.  In 2007, Changi 
International Airport handled 36.7 million passengers, a 4.8 percent 
increase over 2006 figures.  The Changi Airfreight Center is one of 
the world's busiest and operates as a Free Trade Zone where 
companies can move, consolidate, store or repack cargo without the 
need for documentation or customs duties. 
 
Domestic Programs (Demand Reduction) 
------------------------------------ 
 
Singapore uses a combination of punishment and rehabilitation 
against first-time drug offenders.  Rehabilitation of drug abusers 
typically occurs during incarceration.  The government may detain 
addicts for rehabilitation for up to three years.  Similarly, under 
Singapore's "three strikes" laws, third-time convicted drug 
offenders are subject to a minimum of five years imprisonment and 
three strokes of the cane.  In an effort to discourage drug use 
during travel abroad, CNB officers may require urinalysis tests for 
Singapore citizens and permanent residents returning from outside 
the country.  Those who test positive are treated as if they had 
consumed the illegal drug in Singapore. 
 
Adopting the theme, "Prevention: The Best Remedy," Singapore 
authorities organize sporting events, concerts, plays, and other 
activities to reach out to all segments of society on drug 
prevention.  Drug treatment centers, halfway houses, and job 
 
SINGAPORE 00001160  004 OF 004 
 
 
placement programs exist to help addicts reintegrate into society. 
At the same time, the GOS has toughened anti-recidivist laws. 
Three-time offenders face long mandatory sentences and caning. 
Depending on the quantity of drugs involved, convicted drug 
traffickers may be subject to the death penalty, regardless of 
nationality. 
 
IV. U.S. Policy Initiatives 
 
Bilateral Cooperation 
--------------------- 
 
Singapore and the United States enjoy good law enforcement 
cooperation, in particular under the Drug Designation Agreement.  In 
2007, approximately 45 GOS law enforcement officials attended 
training courses at the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) 
in Bangkok on a variety of transnational crime topics.  The GOS has 
cooperated with the United States and other countries in the 
forfeiture of drug-related proceeds discovered in Singapore banks, 
including the equitable sharing of seized and forfeited drug-related 
funds with the United States. 
 
Road Ahead 
---------- 
 
The United States will continue to work closely with Singapore 
authorities on all narcotics trafficking and related matters. 
Increased customs cooperation under CSI and other initiatives will 
help further strengthen law enforcement cooperation. 
 
V. Chemical Control 
 
Singapore was the largest non-U.S. importer of ephedrine, a 
precursor for methamphetamine, in 2005 (latest available data) and 
the third-largest non-U.S. exporter.  The quantities not re-exported 
are used primarily by the domestic pharmaceutical industry. 
Singapore is one of the largest distributors of acetic anhydride in 
Asia.  Used in film processing and the manufacture of plastics, 
pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals, acetic anhydride is also 
the primary acetylating agent for heroin.  Singapore participates in 
multilateral precursor chemical control programs, including 
Operation Purple, Operation Topaz, and Operation Prism, and is 
involved in law enforcement initiatives developed under these 
projects to halt worldwide diversion of precursors to illicit 
chemical trafficking and drug manufacturing organizations.  The CNB 
works closely with the DEA office in Singapore to track the import 
of precursor chemicals for legitimate processing and use in 
Singapore.  CNB's precursor unit monitors and investigates any 
suspected domestic diversion of precursors for illicit use. 
Singapore is a party to the 1988 UN Drug Convention and controls 
precursor chemicals, including pseudoephedrine and ephedrine, in 
accordance with its provisions.  It will not authorize imports of 
precursors until it has issued a "No Objection" letter in response 
to the exporting country's pre-export notification.  Pre-export 
notifications are issued on all exports; transshipment cases are 
treated as an import followed by an export.  The GOS conducts 
rigorous site visits on companies dealing with controlled chemicals 
to ensure awareness of the requirements and overall compliance. 
 
SHIELDS