PP v Vikneswaren Ramu: Drug Importation Sentencing

Vikneswaren Ramu and Parthiban Rajagopal were charged with importing diamorphine into Singapore. The High Court convicted Vikneswaren Ramu based on his guilty plea. The court sentenced Vikneswaren Ramu to 20 years and 6 months’ imprisonment, and 15 strokes of the cane. The case involved the use of a courier, Shahriman, to transport the drugs.

1. Case Overview

1.1 Court

High Court

1.2 Outcome

Sentence of 20 years and 6 months’ imprisonment, and 15 strokes of the cane imposed on the Accused.

1.3 Case Type

Criminal

1.4 Judgment Type

Grounds of Decision

1.5 Jurisdiction

Singapore

1.6 Description

Vikneswaren Ramu pleaded guilty to importing diamorphine. The court sentenced him to 20 years and 6 months' imprisonment and 15 strokes of the cane.

1.7 Decision Date

2. Parties and Outcomes

Party NameRoleTypeOutcomeOutcome TypeCounsels
Public ProsecutorProsecutionGovernment AgencySentence imposedWon
April Phang of Attorney-General’s Chambers
Zulhafni Zulkeflee of Attorney-General’s Chambers
Vikneswaren RamuDefendantIndividualSentence imposedLost
Parthiban RajagopalDefendantIndividualSentence imposedLost

3. Judges

Judge NameTitleDelivered Judgment
Aedit AbdullahJudgeYes

4. Counsels

Counsel NameOrganization
April PhangAttorney-General’s Chambers
Zulhafni ZulkefleeAttorney-General’s Chambers
Selva Kumara NaiduLiberty Law Practice LLP

4. Facts

  1. Vikneswaren Ramu pleaded guilty to importing not less than 10 grams of diamorphine.
  2. Shahriman transported the drugs in a car from Malaysia to Singapore.
  3. Vikneswaren and Parthiban instructed Shahriman to transport the drugs.
  4. Shahriman was to deliver the drugs to Bukit Batok Industrial Park.
  5. Vikneswaren was the primary communications conduit with Shahriman.
  6. Vikneswaren and Parthiban were arrested while attempting to leave Singapore.

5. Formal Citations

  1. Public Prosecutor v Vikneswaren Ramu and another, Criminal Case No 38 of 2018, [2018] SGHC 138

6. Timeline

DateEvent
Drug importation occurred at Woodlands Checkpoint
Vikneswaren Ramu and Parthiban Rajagopal arrested
Hearing began
Judgment issued

7. Legal Issues

  1. Importation of Diamorphine
    • Outcome: The court found the accused guilty of importing diamorphine.
    • Category: Substantive
  2. Sentencing for Drug Importation
    • Outcome: The court sentenced the accused to 20 years and 6 months’ imprisonment, and 15 strokes of the cane.
    • Category: Procedural
    • Related Cases:
      • [2017] 2 SLR 115
      • [2017] 5 SLR 904
      • [2015] 5 SLR 122

8. Remedies Sought

  1. Imprisonment
  2. Caning

9. Cause of Actions

  • Importation of controlled drugs

10. Practice Areas

  • Criminal Litigation

11. Industries

  • No industries specified

12. Cited Cases

Case NameCourtAffirmedCitationJurisdictionSignificance
Suventher Shunmugam v Public ProsecutorCourt of AppealYes[2017] 2 SLR 115SingaporeCited for sentencing guidelines for drug importation offences.
Amin bin Abdullah v Public ProsecutorCourt of AppealYes[2017] 5 SLR 904SingaporeCited for the sentencing range for importing between 10 to 11.5 grams of diamorphine.
Vasentha d/o Joseph v Public ProsecutorCourt of AppealYes[2015] 5 SLR 122SingaporeCited for adjusting the indicative starting sentence in line with the culpability of the accused persons.

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

15. Key Terms and Keywords

15.1 Key Terms

  • Diamorphine
  • Drug importation
  • Common intention
  • Woodlands Checkpoint
  • Courier
  • Sentencing
  • Mitigation

15.2 Keywords

  • diamorphine
  • drug importation
  • sentencing
  • criminal law
  • singapore

17. Areas of Law

Area NameRelevance Score
Drug Trafficking98
Sentencing95
Importation of Drugs92
Criminal Law90
Criminal Procedure80
Penal Code70
Administrative Law30

16. Subjects

  • Criminal Law
  • Drug Trafficking
  • Sentencing Guidelines