Drug trafficker avoids S’pore death penalty by 0.01g, gets 31 years’ jail

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He was initially charged with possessing 15g of pure heroin -- a charge that carries the death penalty in Singapore.

By - 12 Jun 2025, 11:32 am

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Drug trafficker avoids death penalty by 0.01g, gets 31 years’ jail

A drug trafficker in Singapore was sentenced to 31 years’ jail after avoiding the death penalty by just 0.01g.

Last Tuesday (3 June), 58-year-old Mesnawi Dahri pleaded guilty to four charges — three for drug-related offences and one for money laundering.

Two additional charges were taken into consideration during sentencing.

Heroin & Ecstasy pills seized during arrest in Jan 2023

According to the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB), Mesnawi was arrested by officers in Jan 2023 at Ang Mo Kio.

Officers seized drugs and cash during the raid:

  • About 713g of heroin

  • 4 ‘Ecstasy’ pills

  • S$18,050 in cash, which was later forfeited to the state

The cash was confirmed to be proceeds from his drug trafficking activities, ST reported.

Source: 3D PhotoStock’s Images on Canva. Picture for illustration purposes only

CNB highlighted that 15g of pure heroin is enough to feed the addiction of about 180 abusers for a week.

Originally charged with trafficking at least 15g of pure heroin

Mesnawi was originally charged with possessing at least 15g of diamorphine (pure heroin) for the purpose of trafficking — a charge that carries the mandatory death penalty in Singapore.

avoids death penalty

Source: yangna on Canva. Picture is for illustration purposes only

However, the charge was later amended to reflect that he had trafficked at least than 14.99g of diamorphine — just 0.01g short of the threshold.

The reclassified charge came with a maximum jail sentence of 30 years or life imprisonment.

avoids death penalty

Jail sentence includes 10 weeks for money laundering charge

The 31-year jail duration also consists of 10 weeks for a money laundering charge.

Mesnawi was unrepresented in court and has filed an appeal against the sentence.

Those convicted of laundering drug trafficking proceeds can face up to 10 years’ jail and a fine of up to S$50,000.

Also read: S’porean man faces death penalty in M’sia for allegedly trafficking over 10kg of drugs

S’porean man faces death penalty in M’sia for allegedly trafficking over 10kg of drugs

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Featured image adapted from MS News. 

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