Public Prosecutor v Tan Chin Hock: Drug Trafficking - Misuse of Drugs Act

In Public Prosecutor v Tan Chin Hock, the High Court of Singapore, on August 25, 2009, convicted Tan Chin Hock of drug trafficking under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Tan was found in possession of 64.34g of diamorphine for the purpose of trafficking. The court, satisfied that the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt, convicted Tan and sentenced him 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

Tan Chin Hock was convicted and sentenced to death for possessing diamorphine for trafficking under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Public ProsecutorProsecutionGovernment AgencyJudgment for ProsecutionWon
Amarjit Singh of Deputy Public Prosecutors
Tan Boon Khai of Deputy Public Prosecutors
Tan Chin HockDefendantIndividualConvictionLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Amarjit SinghDeputy Public Prosecutors
Tan Boon KhaiDeputy Public Prosecutors
James MasihJames Masih & Co
Ong Cheong WeiOng Cheong Wei & Co

4. Facts

  1. The accused was arrested on 28 March 2008 in his rented room.
  2. The accused was found holding a maroon coloured bag containing 36 packets of heroin.
  3. More heroin was found elsewhere in his room.
  4. The aggregate amount of heroin was 64.34g.
  5. Drug trafficking materials were found in the room.
  6. The accused admitted to delivering drugs for 'Ah Seng' since February 2008.
  7. The accused was paid $150 for each delivery.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Public Prosecutor v Tan Chin Hock, CC 36/2009, [2009] SGHC 189

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Accused arrested
Judgment issued

7. Legal Issues

  1. Drug Trafficking
    • Outcome: The court convicted the accused of drug trafficking.
    • Category: Substantive

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Conviction
  2. Death Penalty

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, 2008 Rev Ed)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Diamorphine
  • Drug Trafficking
  • Misuse of Drugs Act
  • Central Narcotics Bureau
  • Heroin
  • Ah Seng

15.2 Keywords

  • Drug Trafficking
  • Heroin
  • Singapore
  • Criminal Law

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Drug Trafficking98
Criminal Law95
Misuse of Drugs Act90
Offences80
Theft30

16. Subjects

  • Criminal Law
  • Drug Offences