A former Changi Prison officer has pleaded guilty to corruption charges after he was caught smuggling contraband items, including nude photographs and prescription drugs, into prison in exchange for bribes.
The 39-year-old, Mohammad Asri Bin Abd Rahim, admitted to five counts of corruption involving a total of S$3,700 in bribes from an inmate, 50-year-old Mohamad Yusof Bin Kasim. The incidents took place between 2021 and 2022 while Asri was still serving with the Singapore Prison Service.
Investigations revealed that Asri had started sneaking in small amounts of gabapentin, a prescription painkiller, in early 2021. These pills were used as “rewards” for inmate attendants tasked with housekeeping duties. Yusof was one of these attendants.
How the Smuggling Operation Worked
According to CNA, By mid-2021, Yusof began suggesting that Asri could make money by bringing in other prohibited items. Although hesitant at first, Asri eventually agreed. Using coded language in e-letters, Yusof arranged for his contacts outside prison to pass cash, pills and obscene photos to Asri.
The officer would then repackage these items into ziplock bags and hide them in his socks, underwear, or work uniform to bypass prison security checks.
Court documents showed that Asri received multiple payments ranging from S$300 to S$2,000, with the largest bribes taking place between January and February 2022. In total, he collected S$3,700 before the scheme unravelled in June 2022 when prison officers raided Yusof’s cell and discovered contraband pills linked back to Asri.
Facing Sentencing in October
Asri was officially charged in July 2025. On Sep. 5, both he and Yusof pleaded guilty, while two other inmates who were involved also face separate proceedings. One of them, 36-year-old Murali Vigneshwaran, has already pleaded guilty, while 37-year-old Wilson Ang’s case is ongoing.
Under Singapore’s Prevention of Corruption Act, anyone found guilty of corruption can face up to five years in jail, a fine of up to S$100,000, or both for each charge.
Asri, Yusof and Murali are due to be sentenced on Oct. 9.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced in maintaining prison security and integrity, as well as the severe consequences public officers face when breaching public trust.