SINGAPORE is prepared to fight a new breed of criminals spawned by the rapid advance in information technology, Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng said today.

"IT is both a boon and a bane," Wong said in a speech.

The use of high-tech equipment, such as an enhanced radar and opto-electronic surveillance system, has bolstered the home ministry's capabilities, he said.

However, "it also meant that we have to fight a different breed of criminals -- those who leverage on technology to carry out their crimes."

Wong cited a recent case where police arrested a 19-year-old who used an Internet chatroom to sell the banned drug Ecstasy.

"This goes to show that illegal drug dealers no longer stick to the same old formula. I am glad that the CNB (Central Narcotics Bureau) has built up its IT capabilities to be a step ahead of these criminals," he said.

Singapore is regarded as one of Asia's most high-tech societies.