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SINGAPORE \u2013 When a young, smartly dressed Indonesian man approached Mr Mohamed in a dimly lit nightclub and asked him if he wanted \u201cNike\u201d or \u201cSuperman\u201d, it confused the Singaporean. <\/p>\n
The 53-year-old, who gave his name only as Mr Mohamed, had visited the club in Nagoya town, Batam, with other Singaporeans after a round of golf earlier in the day.<\/p>\n
Mr Mohamed said: \u201cI couldn\u2019t really hear what he was saying but he opened a small tin box with tablets placed on a bed of sponge. <\/p>\n
\u201cI thought they were sweets but he told me he was selling Ecstasy pills (embossed with Nike and Superman logos).\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Mohamed said he repeatedly declined the offer, but was then shown \u201cBatu\u201d (rock in Bahasa Indonesia), also known as crystal methamphetamine, in a small clear plastic bag. He turned that down as well.<\/p>\n
Mr Mohamed continues to play golf in Batam, at least four times a year, but now visits only nightclubs recommended by the golf tournament organisers. <\/p>\n
He recounted the July 2025 incident to The Straits Times after learning about the Central Narcotics Bureau\u2019s (CNB) participation in an anti-drug blitz at a Batam nightclub on Jan 18, 2026. <\/p>\n
Working in conjunction with Indonesian counterparts, the National Narcotics Board (BNN) and other Indonesian agencies, the operation screened 100 people, including four Singaporeans. <\/p>\n
The raid resulted in five Indonesians being arrested for drug-related offences.<\/p>\n
While Singaporeans and permanent residents can be subjected to drug tests when returning from overseas, it is not common for CNB to participate in anti-drug raids in other jurisdictions.<\/p>\n
Lawyer S. Balamurugan, who has handled criminal cases, said: \u201cThe law provides that it is an offence for Singapore citizens and PRs to consume or traffic drugs outside Singapore. <\/p>\n
\u201cCNB, being the authority in Singapore, can participate in the raid in Batam or other countries if allowed.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cI don\u2019t think CNB can arrest but can check on Singaporeans and PRs with the assistance of the Indonesian counterpart.\u201d<\/p>\n
The anti-drug agency told ST it collaborates closely with international law enforcement counterparts, including Indonesia\u2019s BNN, to stamp out drug activities. <\/p>\n
Commenting on the operation, Assistant Commissioner\u00a0Aaron Tang, deputy director of operations at CNB, said: \u201cThis operation serves as a warning to drug abusers who think that they can evade CNB\u2019s detection by going overseas to consume drugs. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no refuge for you if you continue to commit drug offences, especially if you disrespect the laws of other countries as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Singapore permanent resident T. Vijay said the authorities, including CNB, should continue with targeted drug raids in Batam.<\/p>\n
During a visit to Nagoya in 2024, he and his wife saw some patrons smoking marijuana and using other drugs.<\/p>\n
Said the 55-year-old senior marketing executive: \u201cI saw younger patrons drinking only mineral water and shaking their heads to the throbbing techno beat. I knew they were on E (Ecstasy pills). <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat shocked me was the drug pushers were the club\u2019s waiters and waitresses, who went table to table asking if patrons wanted to buy joints (cannabis) or E.\u201d<\/p>\n
About 100,000 tourists \u2013 a majority from Singapore and Malaysia \u2013 visit Batam each month, the island\u2019s tourism head, Mr Ardiwinata, who goes by one name, told Antara News in September 2025.<\/p>\n
Not everyone travels to the island, about an hour\u2019s ferry ride away, for shopping or golf. <\/p>\n
A survey by BNN in 2019 showed that an estimated 16,000 workers on Batam, which has a population of around 1.2 million people, were involved in the drug trade.<\/p>\n
In 1997, CNB arrested eight Singaporeans who returned from Batam after taking Ecstasy. <\/p>\n
A year later, two Singaporeans were nabbed on the island after they consumed drugs at a nightclub.<\/p>\n
The Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) was amended in 1998 to plug a loophole in the wake of figures showing a 26 per cent increase in Singaporeans testing positive for drugs at border checkpoints.<\/p>\n
The law now has an extraterritorial nature \u2013 they apply to Singaporeans and permanent residents who offend overseas.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Consumption of a controlled drug, including cannabis which has been legalised in some jurisdictions, could result in imprisonment\u00a0of between a year and 10 years, and may include a fine of up to $20,000.<\/p>\n
Possession, trafficking, import or export of any controlled drugs (including cannabis products or edibles) are also offences under the MDA.<\/p>\n
A citizen or permanent resident returning to Singapore can be subjected to a urine or hair test for drugs at the checkpoints.<\/p>\n
In 2016, there were 81 cases of Singaporeans or permanent residents arrested in Singapore for consuming drugs overseas, while in 2013, there were 47 cases. <\/p>\n
CNB figures showed that from January to August 2022, <\/p>\n 41 Singaporeans and permanent residents<\/p>\n <\/a> were arrested at various checkpoints in Singapore for suspected drug abuse overseas. <\/p>\n In March 2014, a 26-year-old Singaporean died after he reportedly took drugs at a music festival in Jakarta, Indonesia. He was among three festivalgoers who died while attending the festival.<\/p>\n