Public Prosecutor v Teo Cheow Kim: Trafficking of Diamorphine under the Misuse of Drugs Act

In Public Prosecutor v Teo Cheow Kim, the High Court of Singapore, on 17 May 2007, convicted Teo Cheow Kim for trafficking 30.37g of diamorphine under s 5(1)(a) read with s 5(2) of the Misuse of Drugs Act. The court found that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt, and sentenced Teo Cheow Kim to death.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 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

Teo Cheow Kim was convicted and sentenced to death for trafficking 30.37g of diamorphine under the Misuse of Drugs Act. The court found the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Public ProsecutorProsecutionGovernment AgencyJudgment for ProsecutionWon
Eugene Lee Yee Leng of Deputy Public Prosecutor
Kenneth Chuah of Deputy Public Prosecutor
Teo Cheow KimDefendantIndividualConviction and Death SentenceLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Eugene Lee Yee LengDeputy Public Prosecutor
Kenneth ChuahDeputy Public Prosecutor
Ho Meng HeeHo Meng Hee & Co
Chew Siang TongST Chew & Partners

4. Facts

  1. The accused was under surveillance by CNB officers.
  2. The accused met Lim Ah Tee at Bedok Reservoir Road.
  3. The accused was seen carrying a yellow plastic bag.
  4. The yellow plastic bag contained 30.37g of diamorphine.
  5. The accused admitted he knew he was carrying heroin.
  6. The accused admitted he was paid to transport the heroin.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Public Prosecutor v Teo Cheow Kim, CC 11/2007, [2007] SGHC 70

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Accused trafficked 30.37g of diamorphine along Race Course Road, Singapore
Accused kept under surveillance by CNB officers from 7pm
Accused met Lim Ah Tee at Block 740 Bedok Reservoir Road
Accused arrested by CNB officers at Banana Leaf Apollo Restaurant at about 9.30pm
Accused made written statement recorded by ASP Lim Teck Lim
Accused made written statement recorded by ASP Lim Teck Lim
Judgment issued

7. Legal Issues

  1. Trafficking of Diamorphine
    • Outcome: The court convicted the accused of trafficking diamorphine.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Conviction
  2. Death Sentence

9. Cause of Actions

  • Drug Trafficking

10. Practice Areas

  • Criminal Litigation

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
No cited cases

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Misuse of Drugs Act (Cap 185, 2001 Rev Ed) s 5(1)(a)Singapore
Misuse of Drugs Act (Cap 185, 2001 Rev Ed) s 5(2)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Diamorphine
  • Drug Trafficking
  • Central Narcotics Bureau
  • Chain of Custody

15.2 Keywords

  • Drug Trafficking
  • Diamorphine
  • Misuse of Drugs Act
  • Singapore
  • Criminal Law

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Misuse of Drugs Act95
Drug Trafficking80
Criminal Law70
Criminal Procedure60
Evidence Law50
Sentencing40

16. Subjects

  • Criminal Law
  • Drug Offences