When Mr Irfan Ahmed Khan did not turn up for his wedding solemnization while he was on a conditional bail on 7 June 2011, the alarm bells rang.

He then failed to turn up for his court trial on the same day and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

 

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) initiated a joint operation that lasted days with Malaysia’s Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) when they received information that Mr Irfan could have fled to Malaysia.

 

On 23 June, more than two weeks after his escape, Mr Irfan was arrested by CNB with the help of NCID in the state of Johor, Malaysia.

 

Malaysian authorities returned custody of Mr Irfan to Singapore the next day. Mr Irfan is facing a charge of trafficking 190.98 grams of methamphetamine, as well as additional charges of drug possession and possession of offensive weapons.

 

 If he is found guilty of drug trafficking, he could face a minimum punishment of 20 years jail and 15 strokes of the cane.

 

“To tackle the increasing transnational nature of drug trade, CNB will continue to work with NCID as well as regional and international drug enforcement agencies to fight the war against drugs,” said CNB’s Director, Mr Ng Boon Gay.

 

Mr Ng added that the arrest of Mr Irfan is a testimony of the strong relationship between CNB and NCID against the drug problem.

 

Investigations are ongoing to establish how Mr Irfan had left the country and crossed into Malaysia.