Goh Chye Soon Jimmy v PP: Trafficking of Diamorphine & Possession of Controlled Drugs

In Goh Chye Soon Jimmy v Public Prosecutor, the Court of Appeal of Singapore heard an appeal against the conviction of Goh Chye Soon Jimmy for trafficking in diamorphine. The High Court had convicted Goh on one charge under the Misuse of Drugs Act. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, finding that Goh possessed the heroin for the purpose of trafficking, based on the evidence found in his flat and his admitted possession of other drugs found in the same location.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

Court of Appeal

1.2 Outcome

Appeal Dismissed

1.3 Case Type

Criminal

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Goh Chye Soon Jimmy was convicted of trafficking diamorphine. The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction, finding he possessed the drugs for trafficking purposes.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Public ProsecutorRespondentGovernment AgencyConviction UpheldWon
David Khoo of Deputy Public Prosecutors
Adriel Loh of Deputy Public Prosecutors
Goh Chye Soon JimmyAppellantIndividualAppeal DismissedLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Chao Hick TinJudge of AppealYes
Lai Kew ChaiJudgeNo
L P TheanJudge of AppealNo

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
David KhooDeputy Public Prosecutors
Adriel LohDeputy Public Prosecutors
Peter FernandoLeo Fernando
Lee Teck LengTan Peng Chin & Partners

4. Facts

  1. Police found half a sachet of yellow granular substance on the appellant.
  2. A search of the appellant's flat revealed various controlled drugs.
  3. The appellant admitted to owning the other drugs but denied owning the heroin.
  4. The appellant claimed someone named Ah Seng stored the heroin in his flat.
  5. The appellant's statement to Insp Lek was challenged as involuntary.
  6. The appellant admitted to listing the various other drugs found in the wardrobe to Inspector Lek.
  7. The heroin was found in a locked wardrobe in the appellant's master bedroom.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Goh Chye Soon Jimmy v Public Prosecutor, Cr App 1/2001, [2001] SGCA 29

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Appellant found acting suspiciously and arrested
Search conducted at appellant's flat; controlled drugs discovered
Appellant charged with 16 drug offenses
Appeal dismissed

7. Legal Issues

  1. Admissibility of Confession
    • Outcome: The court found that the statement was made voluntarily and was admissible.
    • Category: Procedural
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Threat
      • Inducement
    • Related Cases:
      • [1996] 1 SLR
  2. Possession of Controlled Drugs for Trafficking
    • Outcome: The court found that the appellant had possession of the heroin for the purpose of trafficking.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Related Cases:
      • [1969] 2 AC 256

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Appeal against conviction
  2. Acquittal

9. Cause of Actions

  • Drug Trafficking

10. Practice Areas

  • Criminal Appeals
  • Drug Offenses

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Poh Kay Keong v PPCourt of AppealYes[1996] 1 SLRSingaporeCited regarding the inadmissibility of confessions obtained through threats to charge the accused's loved ones.
R v WarnerN/AYes[1969] 2 AC 256N/ACited for the principle that knowledge of drugs is necessary for possession.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Misuse of Drugs Act (Cap 185)Singapore
Section 5(1)(a) of the Misuse of Drugs ActSingapore
Section 5(2) of the Misuse of Drugs ActSingapore
Section 33 of the Misuse of Drugs ActSingapore
Section 17 of the Misuse of Drugs ActSingapore
Section 24 of the Evidence Act (Cap 97)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Diamorphine
  • Trafficking
  • Possession
  • Controlled Drugs
  • Misuse of Drugs Act
  • Confession
  • Voluntariness
  • Ah Seng

15.2 Keywords

  • Drug Trafficking
  • Heroin
  • Singapore
  • Criminal Law
  • Appeal
  • Possession
  • Misuse of Drugs Act

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Misuse of Drugs Act95
Criminal Law70
Criminal Procedure60
Evidence Law50

16. Subjects

  • Criminal Law
  • Drug Trafficking