Public Prosecutor v Tang Hai Liang: Trafficking of Diamorphine under the Misuse of Drugs Act

In Public Prosecutor v Tang Hai Liang, the High Court of Singapore convicted Tang Hai Liang on January 3, 2011, for trafficking diamorphine under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Tang Hai Liang was found in possession of 136 packets containing 89.55 grams of diamorphine. The court found him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt 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

Tang Hai Liang was convicted of trafficking diamorphine under the Misuse of Drugs Act. The High Court sentenced him to death, finding him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Public ProsecutorProsecutionGovernment AgencyJudgment for ProsecutionWon
Mohamed Faizal of AG's Chambers
Sharmila Sripathy of AG's Chambers
Tang Hai LiangDefendantIndividualConvictionLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Chan Seng OnnJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Mohamed FaizalAG's Chambers
Sharmila SripathyAG's Chambers
Ranadhir GuptaA Zamzam & Co
Harbajan SinghDaisy Yeo & Co.

4. Facts

  1. Accused was arrested on 15 April 2009 at Lorong Ah Soo.
  2. 136 packets containing 1,004.69 grams of granular substance were found.
  3. The substance was analyzed and found to contain 89.55 grams of Diamorphine.
  4. Drugs were found in the air-conditioner, kitchen cabinet, and cooker hood.
  5. Accused admitted the drugs were his and intended for sale.
  6. Accused's DNA was found on several exhibits.
  7. Accused accurately estimated the number of drug packets before they were counted.

5. Formal Citations

    6. Timeline

    DateEvent
    Accused arrested with Lim Kee Wan at void deck of Block 129, Lorong Ah Soo.
    Accused escorted to his residence at Block 133 Lorong Ah Soo.
    Seized drug exhibits weighed in Accused's presence.
    Contemporaneous statement recorded from the Accused.
    Cautioned statement taken from the Accused.
    First long statement taken from the Accused.
    Second long statement taken from the Accused.
    Third long statement taken from the Accused.
    Fourth long statement taken from the Accused.
    Decision Date

    7. Legal Issues

    1. Trafficking in Controlled Drugs
      • Outcome: The court found the accused guilty of trafficking in diamorphine.
      • 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, Chapter 185Singapore
    Criminal Procedure Code (Cap 68, 1985 Rev Ed)Singapore

    15. Key Terms and Keywords

    15.1 Key Terms

    • Diamorphine
    • Trafficking
    • Controlled Drug
    • CNB
    • Possession
    • MDA

    15.2 Keywords

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

    17. Areas of Law

    Area NameRelevance Score
    Misuse of Drugs Act100
    Criminal Law90
    Criminal Procedure70
    Sentencing60
    Evidence50

    16. Subjects

    • Criminal Law
    • Drug Trafficking