Latest news with #Geylang
CNA
6 hours ago
- Health
- CNA
Jail for man who offered S$53 'kopi money' to officers who caught him selling sexual enhancement drugs
SINGAPORE: A man caught selling sexual enhancement medication in Geylang repeatedly tried to offer S$53 (US$41) in "kopi money'' to two officers so that they would not investigate him over the illicit activity. Chen Shaowei, who offered the bribe no fewer than seven times, said he was under the impression that - like officers from some other countries - these officers would "go away" once given the money to "drink coffee". Chen, a 39-year-old Chinese national, was sentenced to 14 weeks' jail on Tuesday (Jun 3), after he pleaded guilty to one count of corruption and one count of using criminal force on a senior security officer who seized his sexual enhancement medication. Another two charges of a similar nature were considered for his sentencing. Chen was spotted beside a makeshift table with what appeared to be sexual enhancement medication on May 31, 2023. The two officers who interacted with him then were Mr Mohammad Alfa Ramli, a technical specialist employed by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and Mr Chai Kit Wey, an Aetos Auxillary Police Officer attached to the HotSpots Operation Team of the HSA. The two were partners were on an operation to disrupt the sale of illegal health products at Geylang that day. Upon seeing Chen, Mr Alfa approached him and placed his hand on his shoulder. Chen tried to flee but Mr Alfa patted him on the shoulders and told him to sit down. As Chen could not speak English, Mr Alfa asked Mr Chai for help to obtain his particulars, but Chen refused to cooperate. He tried to deny that the medication was his and dithered when asked when he had arrived in Singapore. At one point, Chen took out S$53 in cash from his back pocket and offered it to Mr Chai. Mr Alfa pushed Chen's arm away. They warned Chen against bribery, but Chen persisted in offering the "kopi money", even after he was placed under arrest. "When the accused was later interviewed, he admitted that he had learned the word 'kopi' while in Malaysia and that he was under the impression that Mr Chai and Mr Alfa were like the officers in China and Malaysia – that is, that they would 'let (him) go' and 'go away' once he gives them money to 'drink coffee'," the prosecution said. Chen admitted to offering both officers "money for kopi" so that they would stop asking him about his stay in Singapore and about the medication. He was arrested and released on bail on Jun 1, 2023. PUSHED OFFICER About a year later, while on bail, Chen had another encounter with officers over sexual enhancement drugs. On May 24, 2024, officers from the Certis CISCO Auxiliary Police Force seized the medication from a red container in Geylang after a tip-off from a owner of a nearby store. At about 10.27pm, Chen approached the officers aggressively and tried to snatch the bag of medication. He shouted in Mandarin to ask why the officers were taking his drugs when he did not display them. One of the officers tried to hold off Chen, who then pushed him in the chest and upper arms while trying to grab the bag. He then shoved the officer holding the bag, grabbed the stash and fled. The incident was captured by a body-worn camera. Chen was arrested the next day and released on bail. Chen's lawyer John Koh from Avalon Law Corporation sought three months' jail for his client, less than the prosecution's proposed four-month jail term. Mr Koh said Chen had offered bribes in the "spur of the moment". Similarly for his client's charge of using criminal force, Mr Koh said the offence was in "the heat of the moment".
Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Geylang's Tomoyuki Doi up for top honours at SPL Awards Night after record-breaking season
Geylang International striker Tomoyuki Doi (second from right) scored a record-breaking 44 goals in 32 games this season. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE SINGAPORE – Geylang International striker Tomoyuki Doi will have the chance to round off a sensational season at the Singapore Premier League (SPL) Awards Night, after being named among the nominees for several honours on May 27. The Japanese star will receive the SPL Golden Boot and a special recognition award after scoring a league-record 44 goals in 31 appearances, surpassing former Singapore Armed Forces FC forward Mirko Grabovac's previous mark of 38 goals in a 33-game campaign in 2001. His attacking exploits have also earned him a spot on the shortlist for the AIA SPL Player of the Year, alongside Lion City Sailors' defender Bailey Wright and forward Shawal Anuar, who played key roles in their club's title victory. Doi, 27, said: 'I'm honoured to be nominated for the two awards. I really am grateful for everyone's support, especially those who supported me in the last 1½ years when I joined Geylang. The key to being where I am is that I have always believed in myself and kept the focus on getting better. It's as simple as that, nothing special.' Due to be held at the Orchard Hotel on June 1, the event will see the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) celebrate standout performances from the SPL and the SPL Under-21 League, with accolades to be presented across 13 categories. The Eagles had more reason to celebrate, with coach Noor Ali nominated for the Polar Mineral Water Coach of the Year award after leading Geylang to a third-placed finish – their best since 2003, when they were runners-up. Also up for the award are the Sailors' title-winning coach Aleksandar Rankovic, a first-time nominee, and BG Tampines Rovers' Gavin Lee. With the Sailors in the running for several top awards, their sporting director Badri Ghent hailed this as a team effort by everyone in the club. In addition to claiming their second SPL title, the Sailors also impressed on the continental stage with a historic run to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Two final, where they lost 2-1 to the United Arab Emirates' Sharjah FC. Ghent said: 'It's a proud moment for everyone at Lion City Sailors and we're humbled to be up for such awards. 'They reflect not just the performances on the pitch, but the countless hours of hard work behind the scenes – from the players and coaches to the support staff and entire backroom team.' He hopes the club can continue their progress after an exceptional season, adding: 'To bag these honours will be a befitting end to what has been a long and memorable season. We'd also like to thank FAS for recognising our efforts in the AFC Champions League Two. 'As a club, we continually challenge ourselves to be even better each season. We will continue to build on the momentum that has been laid this season and, hopefully, represent Singapore football with pride and dignity on the continental stage in the coming years.' The AIA Young Player of the Year category features familiar talent and fresh faces. Seia Kunori is back in the running, this time as a Tampines player, having clinched the award in 2023 while playing for then-champions Albirex Niigata. The attacker is joined by Hougang United winger Farhan Zulkifli and first-time nominee Shingo Nakano, who plies his trade as a forward for Albirex. Kimberly Kwek joined The Straits Times in 2019 as a sports journalist and has since covered a wide array of sports, including golf and sailing. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Fourteen-year-old caught in S$626,000 Singapore-wide drug sweep as police net 139 suspects
SINGAPORE, May 31 — A 14-year-old student was among 139 suspects rounded up in an island-wide drug crackdown that saw narcotics worth more than S$626,000 (RM2 million) seized, Singapore's Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) revealed yesterday. The Straits Times reported today that the two-week blitz, conducted between May 18 and May 30, spanned multiple areas including Ang Mo Kio, Boon Keng, Bukit Merah, Jurong and Sengkang. The haul included 3.6kg of heroin, 2.7kg of cannabis, 1.3kg of Ice, as well as ketamine, Ecstasy, cocaine, Erimin-5 tablets, LSD stamps, and vape devices suspected to contain THC — the psychoactive compound in cannabis. CNB estimated the seized drugs could have supported the habits of 2,840 abusers for a week. In one major raid on May 28, officers arrested a 46-year-old man at a hotel near Geylang Lorong 10, uncovering 2.8kg of heroin and other drugs stashed in his room. A day later, a 29-year-old Singaporean man suspected of trafficking was arrested at a Tampines condominium. A search of his hideout yielded a sizeable stash, including cannabis, Ice, ketamine, Ecstasy, LSD stamps, cocaine and THC vapes. Another operation on May 23 saw five foreign men, aged between 23 and 34, arrested in Tuas South. One suspect was caught attempting to discard drugs, while cannabis and Ice were found in a nearby lodging house. The spike in youth arrests continues to raise concerns. CNB noted that in 2024, 126 new drug abusers under the age of 20 were arrested — a 30 per cent jump from 2023. The youngest arrested last year was just 13. Under Singapore's Misuse of Drugs Act, anyone found guilty of trafficking more than 15g of pure heroin, 250g of methamphetamine, or 500g of cannabis may face the mandatory death penalty. Investigations into the latest arrests are ongoing.
CNA
4 days ago
- Health
- CNA
3.6kg of heroin seized in drug raids, 139 people arrested
SINGAPORE: Nearly 3.6kg of heroin was seized and 139 people arrested during drug raids across Singapore in May, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) said on Saturday (May 31). Of the 139 arrested, the youngest was a 14-year-old student for suspected drug use. CNB officers conducted raids from May 18 to May 30, covering areas such as Ang Mo Kio, Boon Keng, Bukit Merah, Jurong and Sengkang. During the raids, more than S$626,700 (US$486,000) worth of drugs were seized. Besides the heroin, another 2.7kg of cannabis, 1.3kg of Ice, 155g of Ecstasy, 26g of cocaine and more than 200 Erimin-5 were found. Officers also discovered 49 vape devices suspected to contain tetrahydrocannabinol, a cannabinoid found in cannabis, and 22 LSD stamps. FIVE ARRESTED IN TUAS In the early morning of May 23, CNB launched a raid in Tuas South Avenue, acting on information it received. Five foreign nationals – men aged between 23 and 34 – were arrested for suspected drug offences. Two of them struggled to resist arrest, and "necessary force" was used to subdue them, said CNB. A 23-year-old man was spotted disposing of substances, including 2g of cannabis. Another man was found with Ice. The officers also arrested a 32-year-old man after 27g of cannabis was found in a room in a "residential lodging" in the area. HEROIN IN GEYLANG HOTEL ROOM On May 28, CNB officers raided a hotel room in Geylang Lorong 10 and arrested a 46-year-old man for suspected drug trafficking offences. The officers forced their way in because the man had refused to comply with orders to open the door. More than 2.8kg of heroin was found, together with 565g of Ice, 20g of cannabis, 24g of ketamine, four Erimin-5 tablets and over S$500 in cash. The following day, a 29-year-old man was arrested at the car park of a condominium at Tampines Street 86 for suspected drug trafficking offences. He was escorted to his "hideout in the condominium", said CNB. Officers found more than 2kg of cannabis, 165g of Ice, 103g of ketamine, 37g of Ecstasy, 26g of cocaine and 22 LSD stamps, as well as Erimin-5 tablets and 49 vapes. Assistant Commissioner Aaron Tang, director CNB's Intelligence Division, said: "The drugs we seized from the operation would have destroyed countless lives and families in Singapore. "Our message is clear - those who choose to profit from selling drugs will face the full force of CNB's actions. We will hunt these drug traffickers down to keep Singapore drug-free for our communities." Investigations into the arrested suspects are ongoing.
Independent Singapore
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Independent Singapore
20-year-old motorcyclist dies in Geylang car crash, after running red light and trying to evade police roadbloack
- Advertisement - SINGAPORE; A 20-year-old motorcyclist died after a crash involving a car in Geylang in the early hours of Wednesday (May 28), following an attempt to evade a police roadblock. The fatal accident took place at around 1.50am along Guillemard Road, near the junction with Geylang Road. In a statement, the police said Traffic Police (TP) officers were conducting a roadblock in the direction of Paya Lebar Road when they noticed a motorcycle stopping some distance away. When TP officers approached the motorcyclist, he rode forward, dashed through the roadblock and failed to stop at the red light at the junction of Guillemard Road and Geylang Road, the police said. - Advertisement - Moments later, the motorcyclist collided with a car. Photographs circulating on social media show the aftermath of the crash, with a white car flipped on its side against the kerb. Debris was scattered across the road. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) confirmed that two people were taken to Tan Tock Seng Hospital. The motorcyclist was conveyed unconscious and later succumbed to his injuries. The 64-year-old driver of the car was also taken to hospital and is reported to be conscious. Police investigations are ongoing.
