THREE MEN HANGED FOR DRUG CRIMES

THREE drug traffickers, who were caught two years ago with about $5 million
worth of heroin, went to the gallows yesterday morning. p) Mohamed Isnin
Saleh, 33, Azman Ismail, 35, and Ruzaini Ajis, 32 - all Singaporeans - were
convicted on May 22 last year after a 23-day trial.

They had been found guilty of possessing 73 packets of heroin, weighing
about 35kg in total.

Their drug-dealing operation came undone on Aug 17, 2001.

That day, Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) officers saw Azman, a labourer,
collecting a black sports bag from the pavement outside the Kranji MRT
station and depositing it into the boot of a waiting taxi at about 2.35pm.

CNB officers arrested him at the junction of Upper Changi Road East and
Upper Changi Road North, and found 30 packets of heroin, weighing a total
of 14kg, inside the black bag.

Ruzaini, a mover, was arrested at the driveway of Cascadale condominium, in
Upper Changi Road East, at 3.35pm on the same day.

Ten minutes later, Mohamed Isnin was arrested when the officers raided an
apartment in the condominium and found 43 packets of heroin weighing a
total of about 20kg.

The drugs had been hidden in the false ceilings of the two toilets.

Azman's fingerprints had been found on those false ceilings and he also had
the key to the apartment.