Singapore’s drug enforcement agency is now deploying saliva tests at nightlife establishments in their search for illegal drug users.
The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) said in a news release on Sunday that close to 240 people from two nightlife venues were spot-checked and several were tested with the newly launched saliva test kits for suspected drug use during enforcement operations that took place last weekend.
A 43-year-old Singaporean man and a 31-year-old man were arrested for suspected drug-related offenses and for gang-related activities, respectively. Investigations are ongoing.
The operations were carried out by officers of the Singapore Police Force and the Singapore Civil Defence Force.
According to the release, officers were on the lookout for illegal activities such as drug use as well as other criminal offenses and fire safety violations.
The press release did not disclose the names of the nightlife venues that were raided, but a report from CNA identified them as a KTV lounge on Orchard Road and a nightclub near Jalan Sultan.
“Our enforcement actions at nightspots help keep illicit drugs off Singapore’s streets and allow members of the public to enjoy Singapore’s nightlife safely and unharmed by fellow partygoers under the influence of drugs,” CNB’s Superintendent Lim Sze Yuk said in the press release.
The portable saliva test kits, which were introduced in January, are used by officers on the spot to help them “make quicker assessments” before arresting suspects, Lim added.
The kits require a swab on the tongue and cheeks and it takes only 10 minutes for the results to appear. Two red lines mean a person has tested positive for drug use.
It can detect drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine and cannabis.
The saliva tests have also been deployed at Singapore’s border checkpoints and roadblock operations.
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