SINGAPORE — A 28-year-old man has been sentenced to 27 months’ jail after a parcel containing about 136g of cannabis was intercepted by authorities at Singapore’s SingPost Centre.
Anton Andrievsky, an American national and Singapore permanent resident, pleaded guilty to one charge of attempted drug possession on Wednesday (Sept. 16), after authorities uncovered the parcel during screening in September 2025.
The parcel had been sent from Britain and was addressed to Andrievsky’s home in Toa Payoh.
Parcel flagged during X-ray screening
The case began on Sept. 30, 2025, when an Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officer conducting screening at the parcel post section of SingPost Centre noticed anomalies in the parcel’s X-ray image.
The parcel was addressed to Andrievsky’s home, but the name of the previous owner of the flat had been listed as the recipient.
Authorities subsequently opened the parcel, which contained a pair of jeans and approximately 136g of vegetable matter. Testing later established that the substance was cannabis.
Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs has previously said ICA officers stationed at SingPost Centre screen inbound articles for prohibited, controlled and dutiable goods. Items suspected of containing drugs or other contraband can be referred to the relevant authorities for investigation.
Cannabis allegedly ordered through Telegram
According to court proceedings, Andrievsky told authorities that he had ordered about 140g of cannabis from a person known only as “Yaz” through Telegram.
He said the drugs were intended for his own consumption and that he had made similar orders on about three previous occasions.
He had allegedly agreed to pay S$2,500 for the cannabis.
Andrievsky also admitted using the previous occupant’s details because he did not want to provide his own particulars for the delivery.
Officers forced entry into his flat
After the parcel was intercepted, Central Narcotics Bureau officers went to Andrievsky’s Toa Payoh home at around 2.30pm.
Officers knocked on the door and identified themselves, but Andrievsky did not open it.
According to Deputy Public Prosecutor Jonathan Tan, officers detected movement inside the flat and repeatedly warned him to open the door.
He continued to refuse, prompting officers to force their way into the unit, where they arrested him.
Andrievsky was unable to provide authorities with details about “Yaz”. When asked to show his Telegram correspondence with the person, he reportedly said that he had forgotten his password.
Previous drug offence
The court also heard that Andrievsky had previously undergone reformative training in 2019.
Reformative training is a custodial programme for young offenders involving structured discipline and rehabilitation.
The latest case therefore resulted in another custodial sentence after authorities intercepted the cannabis before it could reach his home.
How Singapore screens incoming parcels
The interception highlights the screening process at Singapore’s postal facilities.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said ICA officers stationed at SingPost Centre screen inbound articles, while SingPost employees assist with loading and unloading parcels and with opening and resealing articles that require physical inspection.
Screening equipment is used to identify suspicious items, while sniffer dogs can be activated when necessary.
Singapore Customs also states that postal parcels can be held by ICA or SingPost if they contain controlled or prohibited goods, among other reasons.
For Andrievsky, the X-ray anomaly meant the parcel never reached its intended destination.
His 27-month jail sentence was imposed after his guilty plea to attempted possession of the intercepted cannabis.
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