Public Prosecutor v Ng Peng Chong: Drug Trafficking - Joint Possession of Diamorphine
In [2017] SGHC 99, the High Court of Singapore heard the case of Public Prosecutor v Ng Peng Chong and Cheng Pueh Kuang, concerning charges of drug trafficking. Ng and Cheng were accused of joint possession of 21.58g of diamorphine for the purpose of trafficking. The court, presided over by Choo Han Teck J, found that the prosecution had not proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused knew they possessed the full amount. The charge was amended to joint possession of 10.17g of diamorphine for the purpose of trafficking, and both Ng and Cheng were convicted on this amended charge.
1. Case Overview
1.1 Court
High Court1.2 Outcome
Conviction on amended charge of joint possession of 10.17g of diamorphine for the purpose of trafficking.
1.3 Case Type
Criminal
1.4 Judgment Type
Judgment
1.5 Jurisdiction
Singapore
1.6 Description
Ng Peng Chong and Cheng Pueh Kuang were convicted of joint possession of diamorphine for trafficking. The court amended the charge to 10.17g of diamorphine.
1.7 Decision Date
2. Parties and Outcomes
| Party Name | Role | Type | Outcome | Outcome Type | Counsels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Prosecutor | Prosecution | Government Agency | Conviction on amended charge | Won | Isaac Tan of Attorney-General’s Chambers Rachel Ng of Attorney-General’s Chambers Muhammad Zulhafini Bin Haji Zulkeflee of Attorney-General’s Chambers |
| Ng Peng Chong | Defendant | Individual | Conviction on amended charge | Lost | |
| Cheng Pueh Kuang | Defendant | Individual | Conviction on amended charge | Lost |
3. Judges
| Judge Name | Title | Delivered Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Choo Han Teck | Judge | Yes |
4. Counsels
| Counsel Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Isaac Tan | Attorney-General’s Chambers |
| Rachel Ng | Attorney-General’s Chambers |
| Muhammad Zulhafini Bin Haji Zulkeflee | Attorney-General’s Chambers |
| Tan Jeh Yaw | Lim Swee Tee & Co. |
| Cheong Aik Chye | A C Cheong & Co. |
| Wong Seow Pin | S P Wong & Co |
| Peter Cuthbert Low | Peter Low LLC |
| Elaine Low | Peter Low LLC |
| Priscilla Chan | Peter Low LLC |
4. Facts
- Ng and Cheng had been ordering heroin and methamphetamine from a Malaysian drug supplier since 2013.
- On 16 May 2014, Ng and Cheng drove to Woodlands to collect heroin.
- Cheng collected a plastic bag containing a black bundle from an Indian bus driver.
- CNB officers arrested Ng and Cheng at Lorong 33 Geylang.
- The black bundle contained 21.58g of diamorphine.
- Drug-trafficking paraphernalia was found in Ng and Cheng’s rented room.
5. Formal Citations
- Public Prosecutor v Ng Peng Chong and another, Criminal Case No 14 of 2017, [2017] SGHC 99
6. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Ng and Cheng began ordering heroin and methamphetamine from a Malaysian drug supplier. | |
| First recorded text message from supplier. | |
| Ng and Cheng placed an order for one pound of heroin. | |
| Ng and Cheng collected heroin in Woodlands. | |
| Ng and Cheng were arrested by CNB officers at Lorong 33 Geylang. | |
| Cheng's first long statement was recorded. | |
| Ng's statement was recorded. | |
| Trial began. | |
| Trial concluded. | |
| Judgment reserved. |
7. Legal Issues
- Possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking
- Outcome: The court found the defendants guilty of joint possession of 10.17g of diamorphine for the purpose of trafficking.
- Category: Substantive
8. Remedies Sought
- Conviction
- Imprisonment
9. Cause of Actions
- Drug Trafficking
- Possession of Drugs
10. Practice Areas
- Criminal Law
- Drug Trafficking
11. Industries
- No industries specified
12. Cited Cases
| Case Name | Court | Affirmed | Citation | Jurisdiction | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No cited cases | |||||
13. Applicable Rules
| Rule Name |
|---|
| No applicable rules |
14. Applicable Statutes
| Statute Name | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|
| 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
- Trafficking
- Joint Possession
- CNB
- Peh Hoon
- Sio Zui
15.2 Keywords
- Drug Trafficking
- Diamorphine
- Singapore
- Criminal Law
- Possession
- Ng Peng Chong
- Cheng Pueh Kuang
17. Areas of Law
| Area Name | Relevance Score |
|---|---|
| Misuse of Drugs Act | 95 |
| Criminal Law | 90 |
| Controlled Drugs | 80 |
| Criminal Procedure | 60 |
| Penal Code | 50 |
16. Subjects
- Criminal Law
- Drug Trafficking
- Possession of Drugs