Public Prosecutor v Mervin Singh: Trafficking Diamorphine Case

In Public Prosecutor v Mervin Singh and Subashkaran, the High Court of Singapore heard a case against Mervin Singh and Subashkaran, who were charged with trafficking in 186.62g of diamorphine on 27 November 2008. The prosecution presented evidence that Subashkaran delivered a pink box containing the diamorphine to Mervin Singh. Both accused denied the allegations. The High Court found both accused guilty as charged and sentenced them to death.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Guilty as charged; sentenced to death.

1.3 Case Type

Criminal

1.4 Judgment Type

Judgment reserved.

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Mervin Singh and Subashkaran were charged with trafficking diamorphine. The High Court found both accused guilty and sentenced them to death.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Public ProsecutorProsecutionGovernment AgencyGuilty as chargedWon
Sellakumaran Sellamuthoo of Attorney-General’s Chambers
Sherlyn Neo of Attorney-General’s Chambers
Ramesh Ethan of Attorney-General’s Chambers
Geraldine Kang of Attorney-General’s Chambers
Crystal Ong of Attorney-General’s Chambers
Toh Puay Suan of Attorney-General’s Chambers
Navih Thevar of Attorney-General’s Chambers
Wynn Wong of Attorney-General’s Chambers
Mervin SinghDefendantIndividualGuilty as chargedLost
SubashkaranDefendantIndividualGuilty as chargedLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Choo Han TeckJYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
Sellakumaran SellamuthooAttorney-General’s Chambers
Sherlyn NeoAttorney-General’s Chambers
Ramesh EthanAttorney-General’s Chambers
Geraldine KangAttorney-General’s Chambers
Crystal OngAttorney-General’s Chambers
Toh Puay SuanAttorney-General’s Chambers
Navih ThevarAttorney-General’s Chambers
Wynn WongAttorney-General’s Chambers
Selva Kumara NaiduLiberty Law Practice LLP
Joseph Tan Chin AikAtkins Law Corporation
Boon Khoon LimDora Boon & Company
Dora Chua Siow LeeDora Boon & Company

4. Facts

  1. Mervin Singh was found in possession of a pink box containing 186.62g of diamorphine.
  2. Subashkaran was said to have delivered the pink box to Mervin Singh.
  3. The pink box was found in lift 'A' at Block 485B Tampines Avenue 9.
  4. DNA profiles taken from the pink box matched the DNA profile of Subashkaran.
  5. A packet of granular substance similar to the nine packets in the pink box was found in Subashkaran’s room.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Public Prosecutor v Mervin Singh and another, Criminal Case No 16 of 2010, [2011] SGHC 222

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Accused charged for trafficking in 186.62g of diamorphine
Mervin Singh arrested at Tampines Avenue 7
Subashkaran arrested at Block 485B Tampines Avenue 9
Judgment reserved

7. Legal Issues

  1. Trafficking of Diamorphine
    • Outcome: The court found both accused guilty of trafficking 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
No applicable statutes

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Diamorphine
  • Drug trafficking
  • Pink box
  • Contraband cigarettes

15.2 Keywords

  • Diamorphine
  • Drug Trafficking
  • Singapore
  • Criminal Law

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Misuse of Drugs Act95
Drug Trafficking95
Criminal Law90
Criminal Procedure70
Admissibility of evidence60
Evidence60

16. Subjects

  • Criminal Law
  • Drug Offenses