5 foreigners charged over scheme to deliberately get arrested in S'pore to sell sex drugs here
Xiao Xiezhi, 43, faces three charges for allegedly offering bribes amounting to more than $400 to three NEA enforcement officers on Jan 22 after being caught smoking under a bus stop shelter.
SINGAPORE - A group of Chinese nationals allegedly planned to get caught for offering bribes to enforcement officers so they could prolong their stay in Singapore while investigations were ongoing.
Their plan was to obtain Special Passes and get bailed out, so they could sell illegal sex enhancement medications while out on bail, said the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) on July 18.
The mastermind behind the scheme is believed to be a Singaporean drug abuser, who has been arrested and is being investigated by the Central Narcotics Bureau.
On July 18, five of the foreigners were charged with corruption.
Xiao Xiezhi, 43, faces three charges for allegedly offering bribes amounting to more than $400 to three National Environment Agency (NEA) enforcement officers on Jan 22 after being caught smoking under a bus stop shelter.
Xu Zhishen, 37, faces two charges for allegedly offering a bribe of $119 to two police officers on April 27 in the vicinity of Sri Mariamman Temple at South Bridge Road.
Xu Bixin, 31, faces one charge for allegedly trying to bribe a police officer with $70 on May 3 to not conduct identity checks on him.
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Huang Chuangshun, 40, faces two charges for allegedly offering $100 in bribes to two NEA officers on June 23 after they caught him smoking in a non-designated smoking area in Orchard.
Lin Liangjun, 32, faces four charges for allegedly offering $160 in bribes to four police officers on June 24 to refrain from taking enforcement action against him for his involvement in a traffic accident, by not enquiring further on his identity.
All 12 officers rejected the bribes.
Chinese national Xiao Xiezhi (red top) being brought back to the scene at Geylang Lorong 20 by CPIB officers on July 17.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
CPIB investigations found that the accused persons had allegedly paid their bailors to facilitate their bail and bail extensions.
One of the accused, Xiao, was brought back to the scene at Geylang Lorong 20 by CPIB officers on July 17.
He had allegedly handed money to bailors outside the New Cathay Hotel there.
Investigations into the scheme are ongoing.
The prosecutor told the court the men should not be granted bail as they had committed offences after being out on bail previously.
She added they previously paid their bailors to stand as bailors for them, and there is a risk of them colluding and committing more offences.
She said: 'If the accused persons are released on bail, there is a real risk of collusion, not just amongst themselves, but with other individuals who are currently being investigated.'
The judge ordered for the men to be remanded without bail.
Their cases will be heard again on Aug 1.
One of the accused, Xiao, was brought back to the scene at Geylang Lorong 20 by CPIB officers on July 17. He had allegedly handed money to bailors outside the New Cathay Hotel there.
ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
Those convicted of bribery can be jailed for up to five years and fined up to $100,000.
CPIB said it looks into all corruption-related complaints and reports, including anonymous ones, and can be contacted via the following channels:
a) Lodge an e-Complaint at
www.cpib.gov.sg/e-services/e-complaint-for-corruptconduct
b) Email them at
report@cpib.gov.sg ;
c) Call the Duty Officer at 1800-376-0000; or
d) Write to them at the CPIB Headquarters @ 2 Lengkok Bahru, S159047.
CPIB said where possible, the report should include:
a) Where, when and how did the alleged corrupt act happen?
b) Who was involved and what were their roles?
c) What was the bribe given and the favour shown?
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