Public Prosecutor v Yeo Kang Oh: Trafficking of Diamorphine under the Misuse of Drugs Act
In Public Prosecutor v Yeo Kang Oh, the High Court of Singapore convicted Yeo Kang Oh on August 28, 2001, for trafficking 25.55 grams of diamorphine, an offense under the Misuse of Drugs Act. The court, presided over by Justice Kan Ting Chiu, relied on Yeo's own admissions in multiple statements to the police, despite his attempts to recant them during the trial. The court found his defense weak and inconsistent, and imposed the mandatory death sentence.
1. Case Overview
1.1 Court
High Court1.2 Outcome
Accused convicted and sentenced to death.
1.3 Case Type
Criminal
1.4 Judgment Type
Grounds of Decision
1.5 Jurisdiction
Singapore
1.6 Description
Yeo Kang Oh was charged with trafficking diamorphine. The High Court found him guilty based on his admissions and sentenced him to death.
1.7 Decision Date
2. Parties and Outcomes
| Party Name | Role | Type | Outcome | Outcome Type | Counsels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Prosecutor | Prosecution | Government Agency | Judgment for the Prosecution | Won | Han Ming Kuang, Edwin San |
| Yeo Kang Oh | Defendant | Individual | Convicted | Lost | Rajah Retnam, Peter Ong |
3. Judges
| Judge Name | Title | Delivered Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Kan Ting Chiu | Judge | Yes |
4. Counsels
| Counsel Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Han Ming Kuang | Public Prosecutor |
| Edwin San | Public Prosecutor |
| Rajah Retnam | Rajah Retnam & Co |
| Peter Ong | Thomas Loh Partnership |
4. Facts
- The accused was found in possession of 25.55 grams of diamorphine.
- The accused made multiple statements admitting to trafficking the diamorphine.
- The accused attempted to evade arrest by jumping out of a window.
- The drugs were found in the accused's flat.
- The accused admitted to intending to sell the heroin to sustain his addiction.
- The accused had a prior warrant of arrest for failing to attend court.
5. Formal Citations
- Public Prosecutor v Yeo Kang Oh, CC 35/2001, [2001] SGHC 246
6. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Accused arrested at Blk 9, Toa Payoh Lorong 7 #04-327, Singapore | |
| Tan Jek Cheng arrested at the junction of Lorong 6 and Lorong 7 Toa Payoh | |
| Accused made a cautioned statement | |
| Accused made his first investigation statement | |
| Another statement was recorded from the accused | |
| Statement recorded from the accused | |
| Judgment Date |
7. Legal Issues
- Trafficking of Controlled Drugs
- Outcome: The court found the accused guilty of trafficking diamorphine.
- Category: Substantive
- Related Cases:
- [1996] 1 SLR 1
8. Remedies Sought
- Conviction
- Mandatory Death Sentence
9. Cause of Actions
- Drug Trafficking
10. Practice Areas
- Criminal Litigation
11. Industries
- No industries specified
12. Cited Cases
| Case Name | Court | Affirmed | Citation | Jurisdiction | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdul Karim bin Mohd v PP | High Court | Yes | [1996] 1 SLR 1 | Singapore | Cited regarding the apportionment of diamorphine for self-consumption. |
13. Applicable Rules
| Rule Name |
|---|
| No applicable rules |
14. Applicable Statutes
| Statute Name | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Misuse of Drugs Act, Chapter 185, section 5(1)(a) read with section 5(2) | Singapore |
| Misuse of Drugs Act, Chapter 185, section 33 | Singapore |
15. Key Terms and Keywords
15.1 Key Terms
- Diamorphine
- Trafficking
- Misuse of Drugs Act
- Controlled Drug
- Statements
- Possession
- Sachets
15.2 Keywords
- drug trafficking
- diamorphine
- misuse of drugs act
- singapore
- criminal law
16. Subjects
- Criminal Law
- Drug Offences
17. Areas of Law
- Criminal Law
- Drug Trafficking Law
- Misuse of Drugs Act