Man sentenced to jail & caning after being caught trafficking drugs from Malaysia to Singapore
A 31-year-old drug runner has been sentenced to 27 years and seven months in jail, along with 15 strokes of the cane, for trafficking drugs from Malaysia into Singapore.
Tan Guosheng, who worked for a Malaysia-based drug syndicate, was both a user and an operative in the syndicate linked to Singapore’s largest money laundering case involving drug proceeds exceeding S$1 million.
Tan trafficked drugs for key syndicate member Lian Hoe Heng. He obtained drugs for consumption through Lian and also helped him collect and distribute drugs, the Straits Times (ST) reported.
Drug runner was paid S$1,000 per collection
For about three months before his arrest, Tan collected drugs from various drop-off points in Singapore and delivered them to customers.
He was paid S$1,000 per collection and S$100 per delivery, trafficking narcotics including methamphetamine, ketamine, cannabis, and MDMA (Ecstasy).
Tan was found to have trafficked 249.99 grams of methamphetamine — just 0.01 grams below the 250-gram threshold that carries the mandatory death penalty under Singapore law.
Source: billinelko on Canva
The prosecution noted that Tan had previously been admitted to the Drug Rehabilitation Centre (DRC) in 2019 for methamphetamine use, obtaining drugs from syndicate member Lian.
After his release in 2020, he was placed under drug supervision but continued obtaining methamphetamine from Lian while assisting him in drug collection and distribution.
Drug syndicate’s key player laundered S$1.27m
Lian, a 58-year-old Singaporean, played a major role in coordinating the syndicate’s drug supply to Singapore.
According to CNB, he laundered over S$1.27 million in drug proceeds for himself and a fellow syndicate member known as “Kadi.”
On 30 Dec last year, Lian was sentenced to 28 years and nine months in prison but has since appealed against his sentence.
Source: CNB
Prosecutors compared Lian’s role to that of a chief operating officer in a company, highlighting his key involvement in the syndicate’s operations.
Lian’s defence lawyer argued that financial hardship had driven him to join the syndicate.
CNB continuing to ‘actively pursue and investigate illegal drug activities’
In its statement on 24 Jan, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) reiterated its commitment to fighting illegal drug activities.
“CNB stands committed to working with our foreign and local counterparts, as well as our industry and community partners, to disrupt transnational criminal networks and safeguard our country against the menace of drug trafficking activities,” said Senior Assistant Commissioner Leon Chan, Acting Director of CNB.
Also read: Mother of 3 nabbed for suspected drug abuse, drugs left openly in her bedroom
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