PP v Ng Peng Chong: Drug Trafficking, Sentencing, and the Misuse of Drugs Act
In [2017] SGHC 156, the High Court of Singapore, presided over by Choo Han Teck J, convicted Ng Peng Chong and Cheng Pueh Kuang of drug trafficking and consumption. The court considered sentencing benchmarks, the Misuse of Drugs Act, and mitigating factors such as the accused's age and addiction. Ng Peng Chong was sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment, while Cheng Pueh Kuang received 27 years, both effective from 17 May 2014.
1. Case Overview
1.1 Court
High Court of the Republic of Singapore1.2 Outcome
Accused sentenced to imprisonment for drug trafficking and consumption charges.
1.3 Case Type
Criminal
1.4 Judgment Type
Judgment
1.5 Jurisdiction
Singapore
1.6 Description
Ng Peng Chong and Cheng Pueh Kuang were convicted of drug trafficking. The court considered sentencing benchmarks and mitigating factors, imposing imprisonment terms.
1.7 Decision Date
2. Parties and Outcomes
| Party Name | Role | Type | Outcome | Outcome Type | Counsels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Prosecutor | Prosecution | Government Agency | Accused convicted | Won | Isaac Tan of Attorney-General’s Chambers Rachel Ng of Attorney-General’s Chambers Muhammad Zulhafini Bin Haji Zulkeflee of Attorney-General’s Chambers |
| Ng Peng Chong | Defendant | Individual | Imprisonment for 25 years | Lost | |
| Cheng Pueh Kuang | Defendant | Individual | Imprisonment for 27 years | Lost |
3. Judges
| Judge Name | Title | Delivered Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Choo Han Teck | Judge | Yes |
4. Counsels
| Counsel Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Isaac Tan | Attorney-General’s Chambers |
| Rachel Ng | Attorney-General’s Chambers |
| Muhammad Zulhafini Bin Haji Zulkeflee | Attorney-General’s Chambers |
| Tan Jeh Yaw | Lim Swee Tee & Co. |
| Cheong Aik Chye | A C Cheong & Co. |
| Wong Seow Pin | S P Wong & Co |
| Peter Cuthbert Low | Peter Low LLC |
| Elaine Low | Peter Low LLC |
4. Facts
- The two accused were convicted for drug trafficking involving 10.17g of diamorphine.
- Both accused were also drug addicts.
- The prosecution restored two of the nine charges for trial after the initial conviction.
- The accused pleaded guilty to possession of not less than 98.87 g of methamphetamine for trafficking.
- The accused pleaded guilty to consumption of morphine.
- The accused were above 50 years old and exempt from caning.
- The first accused was sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment, and the second to 27 years.
5. Formal Citations
- Public Prosecutor v Ng Peng Chong and another, Criminal Case No 14 of 2017, [2017] SGHC 156
6. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Effective date of imprisonment | |
| Judgment reserved | |
| Judgment issued |
7. Legal Issues
- Drug Trafficking
- Outcome: Accused convicted of drug trafficking offence.
- Category: Substantive
- Sentencing for Drug Offences
- Outcome: The court considered sentencing benchmarks and mitigating factors in determining the appropriate sentence.
- Category: Procedural
8. Remedies Sought
- Imprisonment
9. Cause of Actions
- Drug Trafficking
- Drug Consumption
10. Practice Areas
- Criminal Law
- Drug Trafficking
11. Industries
- No industries specified
12. Cited Cases
| Case Name | Court | Affirmed | Citation | Jurisdiction | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No cited cases | |||||
13. Applicable Rules
| Rule Name |
|---|
| No applicable rules |
14. Applicable Statutes
| Statute Name | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| Misuse of Drugs Act | Singapore |
15. Key Terms and Keywords
15.1 Key Terms
- Diamorphine
- Methamphetamine
- Morphine
- Drug Trafficking
- Sentencing Benchmarks
- Mitigating Factors
- Minimum Mandatory Sentences
15.2 Keywords
- Drug Trafficking
- Misuse of Drugs Act
- Sentencing
- Singapore
- Criminal Law
17. Areas of Law
| Area Name | Relevance Score |
|---|---|
| Misuse of Drugs Act | 95 |
| Criminal Law | 90 |
| Sentencing | 90 |
| Drug Trafficking | 85 |
| Offences | 70 |
| Penal Code | 60 |
16. Subjects
- Criminal Law
- Drug Offences
- Sentencing