Man Arrested at Singapore Cruise Centre Over Drug Seizure

Singapore authorities have detained a 27-year-old Indonesian national at the Singapore Cruise Centre after more than one kilogram of suspected controlled substances was found in his luggage. Officials have not disclosed the name of the cruise ship involved or confirmed whether the individual was traveling as a passenger or working as a crew member.

The arrest occurred on January 29 when officers from the Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority observed the man acting nervously during routine immigration checks. His behavior led officers to carry out a more thorough examination of his belongings.

During the inspection, officers uncovered a yellow package concealed inside a pink suitcase. The package contained about 1.02 kilograms of brown powder believed to be Kratom, which is classified as a controlled drug in Singapore.

According to the ICA, the substance is suspected to contain mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine. Both are listed as Class A controlled substances under Singapore’s Misuse of Drugs Act and are known to affect the brain, potentially causing stimulant-like effects such as mood alterations, nausea, seizures, and hallucinations.

The man was taken into custody at the cruise terminal, and the case has since been referred to the Central Narcotics Bureau for further investigation.

Under Singapore law, importing Class A controlled drugs carries harsh penalties, including a mandatory minimum prison term of five years as well as corporal punishment.

Authorities said Singapore continues to apply strict drug enforcement measures at all points of entry, including cruise terminals, as part of ongoing efforts to prevent illegal drugs from entering the country.