PP v Rusli bin Sembayang: Trafficking in Cannabis & Possession for Trafficking Purposes

In Public Prosecutor v Rusli bin Sembayang, the High Court of Singapore found Rusli bin Sembayang guilty of trafficking in a controlled drug, specifically 1,100.2g of cannabis. The prosecution presented evidence, including statements from the accused, indicating his possession and involvement in drug-related activities. The court rejected the accused's defense that the drugs belonged to another person, Ahmad, and concluded that the accused possessed the drugs for trafficking purposes, leading to his conviction.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Guilty

1.3 Case Type

Criminal

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Rusli bin Sembayang was charged with trafficking in cannabis. The High Court found him guilty, determining he possessed the drugs for trafficking purposes.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Public ProsecutorProsecutionGovernment AgencyGuiltyWon
Christopher Ong of Deputy Public Prosecutors
Leong Kwang Ian of Deputy Public Prosecutors
Magdalene Koh Ian of Deputy Public Prosecutors
Rusli Bin SembayangDefendantIndividualGuiltyLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
MPH RubinJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Christopher OngDeputy Public Prosecutors
Leong Kwang IanDeputy Public Prosecutors
Magdalene Koh IanDeputy Public Prosecutors
Amolat SinghAmolat & Partners
Lim Swee TeeLim Swee Tee & Co.

4. Facts

  1. Accused was found in possession of 1,100.2g of cannabis.
  2. Accused threw drugs out of his flat window.
  3. Accused attempted to escape by scaling down the building.
  4. Accused admitted to helping Ahmad pack, cut, and weigh cannabis.
  5. Accused admitted to knowing the price at which the cannabis was to be sold.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Public Prosecutor v Rusli bin Sembayang, CC 55/2002, [2002] SGHC 311

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Accused trafficked in a controlled drug
CNB officers arrived at the flat of the accused
Accused was arrested
Judgment issued

7. Legal Issues

  1. Possession of Drugs for Trafficking
    • Outcome: The court found that the accused was in possession of the drugs for the purpose of trafficking.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Sub-Issues:
      • Knowledge of drugs
      • Intention to traffic

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Conviction
  2. Sentencing

9. Cause of Actions

  • Drug Trafficking

10. Practice Areas

  • Criminal Litigation

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Yap Sow Keong v Public ProsecutorCourt of AppealYes(1947) 13 MLJ 90N/ACited for the principle that an accused may be convicted on the strength of a retracted confession if the court is satisfied it is true.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
s 17 of the MDASingapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Cannabis
  • Trafficking
  • Possession
  • Ganjah
  • CNB
  • MDA

15.2 Keywords

  • drug trafficking
  • cannabis
  • singapore
  • criminal law

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Drug Trafficking95
Controlled Drugs95
Criminal Law90
Evidence Law60

16. Subjects

  • Criminal Law
  • Drug Offences