PP v Muhammad Nur Sallehin: Illegally Importing Methamphetamine

In Public Prosecutor v Muhammad Nur Sallehin bin Kamaruzaman, the High Court of Singapore heard the appeal of Muhammad Nur Sallehin bin Kamaruzaman against his conviction for importing methamphetamine. The court found him guilty, determining that he had agreed to carry methamphetamine into Singapore and was aware of the drugs hidden in a washing powder box. The court also addressed the defense's claim of marriage between the accused and another party, finding it irrelevant and unproven.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Accused found guilty on the charge he faced and convicted him.

1.3 Case Type

Criminal

1.4 Judgment Type

Supplemental Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Muhammad Nur Sallehin was convicted of importing methamphetamine into Singapore. He appealed, claiming he didn't know the quantity of drugs.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Public ProsecutorProsecutionGovernment AgencyJudgment for ProsecutionWon
David Khoo of Attorney-General’s Chambers
Quek Jing Feng of Attorney-General’s Chambers
Muhammad Nur Sallehin bin KamaruzamanDefendant, AppellantIndividualAppeal DeniedLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Kan Ting ChiuSenior JudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
David KhooAttorney-General’s Chambers
Quek Jing FengAttorney-General’s Chambers
Suresh s/o DamodaraDamodara Hazra LLP
Sankar s/o Kailasa Thevar SaminathanSterling Law Corporation

4. Facts

  1. Accused was stopped at Woodlands Checkpoint with his mother and Nur Dianey Mohamed Salim.
  2. CNB officers found a Daia washing powder box in the car boot.
  3. Three bundles wrapped in cling wrap were found inside the box.
  4. The bundles contained methamphetamine and pink tablets (ecstasy).
  5. Accused initially claimed 'Pai Kia' asked him to deliver the drugs.
  6. Accused later claimed 'Bob' asked him to bring the drugs into Singapore.
  7. Accused admitted to intending to import meth.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Public Prosecutor v Muhammad Nur Sallehin bin Kamaruzaman, Criminal Case No 62 of 2015, [2017] SGHC 302
  2. Public Prosecutor v Muhammad Nur Sallehin bin Kamaruzaman, , [2017] SGHC 107

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Accused stopped at Woodlands Checkpoint
Bundles of methamphetamine found in car
Accused arrested
Accused charged with importing controlled drug
Trial began
Trial continues
Trial continues
Trial continues
First grounds of decision issued
Supplemental grounds of decision issued

7. Legal Issues

  1. Importing Controlled Drugs
    • Outcome: The court found the accused guilty of importing methamphetamine.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Admissibility of Evidence
    • Outcome: The court found that Section 124 of the Evidence Act did not restrict the evidence that could be led from Dianey.
    • Category: Procedural

8. Remedies Sought

  1. No remedies sought

9. Cause of Actions

  • Importing a Class ‘A’ controlled drug

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
Penal Code (Cap 224, 2008 Rev Ed)Singapore
Criminal Procedure Code 2010 (Act 15 of 2010)Singapore
Evidence Act (Cap 97, 1997 Rev Ed)Singapore

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Methamphetamine
  • Ice
  • Ecstasy
  • Woodlands Checkpoint
  • Daia washing powder box
  • Common intention
  • Importing controlled drugs

15.2 Keywords

  • Drugs
  • Importing
  • Methamphetamine
  • Singapore
  • Criminal Law

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Misuse of Drugs Act95
Criminal Law90
Controlled Drugs90
Importation of Drugs85
Criminal Procedure60
Penal Code50
Evidence Law40
Statutory Interpretation30

16. Subjects

  • Criminal Law
  • Drug Trafficking