DRUG ADDICT SUSPECTS

Mr Low Thia Khiang asked the Minister for Home Affairs since 1990, how many drug addict suspects were injured or died while trying to evade police arrest.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Since 1990, 17 drug offenders have fallen from high-rise flats when trying to evade arrest during raids by drug enforcement officers at the premises. 16 have died. One who fell on 8th March 1996 is still in hospital.

CNB officers are trained to act with discretion during these raids and will try to persuade the drug offenders to open the door. One officer is also deployed to cover the rear windows to prevent any escape.

Unfortunately, despite these measures, drug offenders act desperately in their attempts to evade arrest.