A former property agent in Singapore has been sentenced to the mandatory death penalty for trafficking over 4.5 kilograms of cannabis. This sentencing comes in the wake of judicial review, which has once again highlighted Singapore’s stringent anti-drug laws and its use of capital punishment—a point of contention among human rights advocates and legal reformists.
Seet Poh Jing, who had previously worked with Huttons Asia, was apprehended by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) on June 28, 2018, leading officers to a vehicle containing five blocks of vegetable matter. Forensic analysis confirmed the substance to be no less than 4509.2 grams of a cannabis mixture. During the trial, Seet’s mobile phones were examined and found to contain messages which were mass-sent to advertise the drug.
In court, Seet, aged 28 at the time of his arrest, claimed that his intent for the drugs was research and development, rather than trafficking. His defense team presented arguments that Seet harboured a fascination with cannabis, particularly its cultivation and the potential uses of cannabidiol, a component derived from the substance. Seet had even sought advice on setting up a cannabis-related business, reaching out to senior lawyer Kertar Singh, though this proved to be in vain as Singh advised against pursuing the venture.
The crux of Seet’s defense revolved around a psychiatric report that suggested he was suffering from a “drug-induced hypomanic episode,” which may have influenced his “reckless and impulsive behavior.” However, the prosecution dismissed this argument as an afterthought, contending it was inconsistent with other pieces of evidence and that Seet did not meet the diagnostic requirements for the disorder.
Justice See Kee Oon of the Appellate Division criticized Seet’s defense as a “concocted afterthought.” The judge underscored discrepancies in Seet’s statements, including post-arrest testimony that contradicted the defense’s research narrative, instead suggesting the drugs were intended to help Seet’s “damaged” friends,His statement continued: “Also to help them get back on track in life. The cannabis is also meant for disposal, at anytime. At the same time, it is also a way of funding activities which will eventually help those friends to get a place in the society.”
Ultimately, Justice See concluded that Seet lacked the know-how or concrete plans for extracting cannabidiol and that his aspirations of starting a cannabis business were “vague, nebulous, and ultimately undeveloped.” The psychiatric diagnosis of hypomania was also discarded based on “inconsistent self-reported information” from Seet.
This sentencing is emblematic of Singapore’s unwavering stance on drug offenses. Despite international criticism and an evolving global perspective on cannabis, Singapore continues to enforce its zero-tolerance drug policy. The recent execution of a woman for trafficking heroin, the first in 19 years, and the execution of another individual for trafficking cannabis underscore the city-state’s strict approach.
Human rights groups and international activists have appealed to Singapore to abolish capital punishment for drug offenses, arguing that it does not effectively deter drug activity. However, the Singaporean authorities maintain that the death penalty is crucial for curbing drug demand and supply, ensuring public safety.
Relevant articles:
– Ex-property agent gets death for trafficking cannabis; judge rejects defence that drug was for research
– Ex-property agent gets death sentence for trafficking cannabis; judge rejects defence that drug was for research, CNA, Tue, 02 Apr 2024 11:53:00 GMT
– Singapore hangs first woman in 19 years following conviction for trafficking heroin, Fox News, Fri, 28 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT
– Singapore executes man for trafficking two pounds of cannabis, CNN, Wed, 26 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT