Three Singaporean men were among four individuals charged in Malaysia on June 26 for allegedly trafficking liquid cocaine disguised in e-vaporiser cartridges, a case that could see them facing the death penalty if convicted. The accused Singaporeans—Quek Kien Seng, 45, Tristan Chew Jin Zhong, 25, and Ivan Tan Zhi Xuan, 31—were jointly charged alongside Malaysian Kong Sien Mee, 57, in the Ampang Magistrate’s Court.
The charges were laid under Section 39B(1)(a) of Malaysia’s Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death sentence or life imprisonment with caning upon conviction. The alleged offence took place at the exit of a hotel in Selangor at around 11:45 am on June 19, where authorities seized 9,420.2 millilitres of cocaine-laced vape liquid. No plea was recorded from the accused, as the case falls under the High Court’s jurisdiction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor M Ramanathan Alias Ashwin led the prosecution. While lawyer Ille Maryam Yusnawannie represented the three Singaporean men, Malaysian Kong appeared in court without legal representation. Magistrate Amalina Basirah Md Top fixed September 8 for the next mention of the case, pending the chemist’s report.
Syndicate Used Luxury Condos to Repackage Drugs for International Distribution
Authorities revealed that the syndicate behind the cocaine vape liquid rented luxury condominiums in Kuala Lumpur, which they used as makeshift drug labs to repackage the narcotic-laced vape cartridges before exporting them to international buyers. Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department acting director Mat Zani Mohd Salahuddin Che Ali shared during a press conference that the police found ten boxes containing nearly 5,000 vape cartridges with an estimated street value of RM7.29 million (approximately S$2.2 million).
This major bust highlights growing concerns about creative methods employed by traffickers to smuggle narcotics using seemingly innocuous products like e-cigarettes. The Malaysian authorities have ramped up efforts to clamp down on such syndicates, which they believe are exploiting the rising popularity of vaping among youths.
Singaporeans Could Face Severe Penalties Under Malaysia’s Strict Drug Laws
If found guilty, the three Singaporeans could face the death penalty by hanging or life imprisonment accompanied by at least 12 strokes of the cane. Malaysia remains one of the few countries in the world that enforces capital punishment for drug offences, which it justifies as a strong deterrent against trafficking. Legal experts note that cases like this highlight the severe consequences faced by Singaporeans who become entangled in international drug syndicates.
This case has reignited discussions about cross-border crime involving Singaporeans and the extreme risks posed by engaging in drug activities overseas, where penalties can be far harsher than in Singapore.
Image Source: Bernama