Quick swab on the tongue and cheeks, immediate results: a new era of detection at nightlife venues.
SINGAPORE: For the first time, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) utilized saliva test kits during anti-drug raids at nightlife spots over the weekend. The raids took place at two entertainment venues—a KTV lounge in Orchard Road and a nightclub near Jalan Sultan—marking CNB’s largest drug-related enforcement operation at nightspots since the pandemic.
Nearly 240 people were checked, with several administered saliva tests on suspicion of drug use. The new test kits, introduced earlier this year at border checkpoints, offer a quick and efficient method for detecting illegal substances. Portable and compact, the saliva kits deliver results in around 10 minutes after a swab on the tongue and cheeks. Individuals testing positive were escorted to CNB headquarters for further testing, with the kits able to detect drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, and cannabis.
The CNB collaborated with the Singapore Police Force and Singapore Civil Defence Force in this operation, aiming to curb illegal activities and enhance public safety. Superintendent Lim Sze Yuk emphasized that the new testing method is a valuable addition to CNB’s toolkit, enabling higher testing rates and faster processing during raids. Authorities have ramped up enforcement at nightlife venues as activity returns post-pandemic, with undercover officers on the lookout for illegal drugs and other criminal activity to ensure a safe nightlife scene.
