Singaporean Man, 58, Sentenced to 31 years' Jail for Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering; Avoids Death Penalty by 0.01g
A 58-year-old Singaporean man was sentenced to 31 years in prison for drug trafficking and drug money laundering offences, avoiding the death penalty by 0.01g.
Mesnawi Dahri was arrested by the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) officers while in possession of not less than 14.99g of diamorphine, or "pure heroin", for the purpose of trafficking.
According to court documents, he was originally charged with possessing at least 15 grams of diamorphine for the purpose of trafficking.
According to the Central Narcotics Bureau's (CNB) press release, 15g of pure heroin is comparable to 1,250 straws, enough to feed the addiction of around 180 abusers for one week.
Anyone convicted guilty of trafficking more than 15g diamorphine, 250g methamphetamine, or 500g cannabis must face the death penalty.
The case was then reclassified as carrying at least 14.99g of diamorphine for the purpose of trafficking, with a maximum punishment of 30 years in prison, according to court documents.
Mesnawi pleaded guilty to a total of four charges on June 3. Three were for drug offences and the fourth was for money laundering.
Two other drug offenses were also considered during sentencing.
He was sentenced to 31 years in prison, with 10 weeks for money laundering under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking, and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act.
On January 27, 2023, CNB officers apprehended Mesnawi in Ang Mo Kio. He was found in possession of around 713g of heroin and four Ecstasy tablets.
He also possessed $18,050 in cash, which came from his narcotics trafficking earnings. The funds have been forfeited to the state.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, June 11, CNB stated that the government will continue to study and improve legislation to ensure that they are effective in tackling the changing crime landscape and are consistent with international norms.
Those who launder the proceeds of narcotics trading face up to ten years in prison and a S$500,000 fine.
Mesnawi, who was not represented, has filed an appeal against his sentence.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
6 hours ago
- Straits Times
16 arrested for illegal horse betting activities in S'pore-Malaysia police joint operation
SINGAPORE - Sixteen people were arrested and another 41 are being investigated for illegal horse betting activities, following a joint operation by Singapore and Malaysian police on June 11 . Those arrested were aged between 50 and 78 , and suspected of being involved with a criminal syndicate that carried out illegal horse betting activities, said the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in a statement on June 12 . During the joint operation, officers from the SPF's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Special Operations Command conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations across Singapore, which led to the arrest of 14 men and one woman. The officers seized cash, three bank accounts with a total value of about $200,000 that were believed to constitute criminal proceeds, as well as electronic devices such as mobile phones and gambling-related items. In Malaysia, a 53-year-old Singaporean man was arrested during a raid carried out by officers from the Royal Malaysia Police's (RMP ) CID. The man will be charged in court on June 13 for offences under the Gambling Control Act 2022 . Investigations against the others arrested are ongoing. On June 11, officers from the SPF's CID and land divisions also conducted simultaneous checks at locations across Singapore including King George's Avenue, Jurong Street 24, Ang Mo Kio Street 22, New Upper Changi Road, Yung Sheng Road, Bukit Batok Street 31 and Marsiling Road. A total of 40 men and a woman , aged between 47 and 84 , are being investigated for their suspected involvement in illegal horse betting activities. They are believed to have had roles such as illegal bookmakers, runners and punters. The police also seized more than $17,000 in cash, mobile phones and horse betting items. Under the Gambling Control Act 2022, any person found guilty of gambling with an unlawful gambling service provider can be fined up to $10,000 , or jailed for up to six months , or both . Under the same Act, anyone found to be involved in conducting an unlawful betting operation as an operator can be fined up to $500,000 and jailed for up to seven years. The police takes a serious view of all forms of illegal betting activities and works with counterparts such as the RMP to find criminal syndicates, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigation and Intelligence) Zhang Weihan , who is also the director of the CID . 'I would like to thank Director Criminal Investigation Department of RMP, Commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zai n, and his officers for their strong support and commitment in tackling transnational organised criminal groups,' he added. Mr Zhang said SPF will continue to work with its partners to detect and dismantle criminal syndicates wherever they choose to operate. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Independent Singapore
13 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
‘Please teach Singaporeans how to drive a car on the highway' video goes viral
TikTok screengrab/ abamsado1988 SINGAPORE: A video showcasing the bad manners of a driver in a Singapore-registered car posted on TikTok last week has gone viral, getting viewed over 700,000 times in the past few days. The video, posted on @abamsado1988's account on June 4, is captioned in Malay: 'The best Bezza 🫡 owner, please teach Singaporeans how to drive a car on the highway.' @abamsado1988 terbaik owner bezza 🫡,kasi ajar sikit itu orang Singapura mcm mna nk bawak kereta di highway plus #fyp #foryoupage ♬ TRIUMPH – Sped Up – FanEOne & grass flower & GANG The 26-second clip was taken from the dash cam of a vehicle that followed a black Mazda with a Singapore number plate. In the middle of substantial traffic, the impatient driver of the Singapore-registered Mazda uses the shoulder—usually reserved for use as an emergency lane— in an attempt to cut the queue and overtake a red car in front of it. However, the driver's attempts at an illicit overtake are thwarted by a white Bezza in front, which blocks the car by also temporarily getting on the shoulder. The Singapore-registered car is then forced to go back to its original place behind the red car. In the comments section on TikTok, many called out not only the driver of the Mazda but Singaporean motorists in general, who don't exactly have the best reputation in that country. 'Because in his country they don't do it, they do it in other countries,' one wrote. 'Even if they get sued, they can still go home calmly because they are not afraid of Malaysian law,' chimed in another. A TikTok user said that they regularly see Singapore-registered cars using the emergency lane. Others underlined that Singaporean motorists need to behave themselves when they drive in Malaysia. Many also praised the driver of the Bezza, saluting them for their quick thinking. 'Bezza legend,' one wrote. Unfortunately, this is not the only incident of a Singaporean motorist behaving badly in Malaysia. Last weekend, a Singaporean man was arrested after a road rage incident wherein he got into an altercation with a Malaysian man. Not only did he allegedly bump and spit at the man, but he was also caught on video kicking the BMW that the Malaysian man was driving. The Malaysian man filed a complaint against the Singaporean national over the incident, which occurred before 3:00 p.m. near Taman Ungku Tun Aminah in Johor Bahru on Saturday (June 8). He was arrested a few hours later, according to Johor Baru (North) district police chief Assistant Commissioner Balveer Singh. Police from Johor Bahru said that the Singaporean man tested negative for drugs and that he has no prior criminal record. /TISG Read also: SG man arrested in JB after road rage video goes viral
AsiaOne
13 hours ago
- AsiaOne
Ryan Lian reveals rocky 4 months, including grandma's death and 'eating huat kueh left out for prayer rituals', Entertainment News
Local actor Ryan Lian revealed his grandmother, who raised him, died recently. In an Instagram post on June 10, the 37-year-old wrote: "Recently, I had time on my hands and went wandering. For the past four months, I wandered the streets and experienced the warmth and coldness of the world. "When I was at my hungriest, I ate huat kueh left out for prayer rituals. When I was caught in the rain, I wore the clothes given to me by passers-by. My grandmother also left the world during this time. I told her ice-cold body then that I will get treated for my illness and make a name for myself. When I succeed one day, I will do charity in her name." He also thanked those who had helped him during this period, adding that because he knows how tough life could be, he strives to help the elderly and children in need when he is capable in the future. Ryan ended his post with: "Singapore is rich, but in certain corners there are still many underprivileged families who worry about their meals every day." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ah Long Ryan (@ryanlianyy) Last September, Ryan was apprehended by the police under Section 7 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act after he successfully opened the electronic lock of someone's flat at Telok Blangah Street 31. The resident had observed through her CCTV camera that he was shirtless and lingering at her door. He fiddled with the gate and successfully opened the electronic lock but left before opening the one on her main door. He stayed in the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) for five days after the incident and made a return in October, poking fun of himself in a cafe commercial uploaded on his social media accounts. Netizens and celebrities including Ya Hui, Kenneth Chung and former actor Kang Chengxi wrote words of support and encouragement in the comments section of his latest post. Ryan, who had appeared in local movies including Long Long Time Ago (2016), Ah Boys to Men 4 (2017) and King of Hawkers (2024), revealed in a podcast with singer-actor Kenji Ng last August that one of the "biggest causes" for his depression was his guilt towards his 90-year-old grandmother who had raised him for most of his life. He revealed that the elderly woman had a stroke after Ryan threw his temper at her one night, but he only realised her condition the next morning when he found her crawling on the floor. The incident resulted in his severe depression in 2019 and he was unable to visit her after that. Ryan also shared in the podcast that he had to place her in an elderly care home as she had dementia and he was unable to care for her. After living in a one-room flat with her for most of his life, he couldn't enjoy living with her when he was able to purchase his own flat, which left him feeling "unfilial" and "horrible". In November, Ryan was slashed thrice on his face by an unknown man outside Nex Shopping Mall, causing him to suffer multiple lacerations and abrasions. The 21-year-old assailant was charged in court the following day on one count of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to cause voluntary harm. Ryan revealed to Shin Min Daily News then that his doctor had told him to be "mentally prepared" for scars on his face even when he recovers. He added that if his scars prevent him from acting, he will work behind the scenes instead. [[nid:718929]] No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.
