Public Prosecutor v Ramalingam Ravinthran: Trafficking in Cannabis and Cannabis Mixture

In Public Prosecutor v Ramalingam Ravinthran, the High Court of Singapore, presided over by Justice Kan Ting Chiu, convicted Ramalingam Ravinthran on November 25, 2009, on two charges of trafficking in cannabis and cannabis mixture under the Misuse of Drugs Act. The court found that Ravinthran knowingly possessed the drugs for the purpose of trafficking, relying on his admission to knowing the bag contained 'grass' (ganja) and his communication with an accomplice. The court imposed the death sentence for each charge.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Accused found guilty and convicted on two charges; death sentence imposed for each charge.

1.3 Case Type

Criminal

1.4 Judgment Type

Judgment reserved

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Ramalingam Ravinthran was convicted of trafficking cannabis and cannabis mixture. The court found he knew the bag contained drugs, imposing the death sentence.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Public ProsecutorProsecutionGovernment AgencyWonWon
Mark Tay of Deputy Public Prosecutors
Jean Kua of Deputy Public Prosecutors
Diane Tan of Deputy Public Prosecutors
Charlene Tay of Deputy Public Prosecutors
Ramalingam RavinthranDefendantIndividualLostLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Kan Ting ChiuJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Mark TayDeputy Public Prosecutors
Jean KuaDeputy Public Prosecutors
Diane TanDeputy Public Prosecutors
Charlene TayDeputy Public Prosecutors
Suresh DamodaraDamodara, Hazra, K Sureshan LLP
Ayaduray JeyapalanGomez & Vasu

4. Facts

  1. The accused was found in possession of a bag containing cannabis and cannabis mixture.
  2. The accused stated he heard CNB officers mention 'grass' and 'glass' in relation to the bag's contents.
  3. The accused told Sundar that the bag contained ganja.
  4. The accused received money from 'Abang' to pass to the person bringing the 'book'.
  5. The accused suspected the bag contained something illegal but did not check it.
  6. The accused drove around in no particular direction before being arrested.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Public Prosecutor v Ramalingam Ravinthran, CC 29/2007, [2009] SGHC 265

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Accused arrested with cannabis and cannabis mixture in his car.
First statement recorded from the accused.
Cautioned statement recorded from the accused.
Investigation statement recorded from the accused.
Recording of investigation statement resumed.
Further statement recorded from the accused.
Judgment reserved.

7. Legal Issues

  1. Trafficking in Controlled Drugs
    • Outcome: The court found the accused guilty of trafficking in controlled drugs.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Knowledge of Contents of Bag
    • Outcome: The court found that the accused knew the bag contained cannabis and cannabis mixture.
    • Category: Substantive
  3. Wilful Blindness
    • Outcome: The court found that even if the accused did not have actual knowledge of the contents of the bag, his wilful blindness has the same legal effect as actual knowledge.
    • Category: Substantive
    • Related Cases:
      • [2008] 1 SLR 1

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Conviction
  2. Death Sentence

9. Cause of Actions

  • Trafficking in Controlled Drugs

10. Practice Areas

  • Criminal Litigation
  • Drug Offences

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Tan Kiam Peng v PPHigh CourtYes[2008] 1 SLR 1SingaporeCited for the principle that wilful blindness has the same legal effect as actual knowledge.

13. Applicable Rules

Rule Name
No applicable rules

14. Applicable Statutes

Statute NameJurisdiction
Misuse of Drugs Act, Chapter 185Singapore
Misuse of Drugs Act, Chapter 185, section 5(1)(a)Singapore
Misuse of Drugs Act, Chapter 185, section 5(2)Singapore
Misuse of Drugs Act, Chapter 185, section 33Singapore
Misuse of Drugs Act (Cap 185, 2008 Rev Ed), section 17Singapore
Misuse of Drugs Act (Cap 185, 2008 Rev Ed), section 2Singapore
Evidence Act (Cap 97 Rev Ed 1997), section 161Singapore
Evidence Act (Cap 97 Rev Ed 1997), section 156Singapore
Evidence Act, section 147(3)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Cannabis
  • Cannabis mixture
  • Trafficking
  • Wilful blindness
  • Ganja
  • Grass
  • Kanja payal

15.2 Keywords

  • Cannabis
  • Drug trafficking
  • Singapore
  • Criminal law
  • Misuse of Drugs Act

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Misuse of Drugs Act95
Criminal Law60
Criminal Procedure30
Evidence25

16. Subjects

  • Criminal Law
  • Drug Trafficking