Singaporean Man Arrested for Drug Trafficking After Deportation from Thailand*

SINGAPORE, Sept 20 — A 31-year-old Singaporean man has been arrested for drug trafficking following his deportation from Thailand, as announced by Singapore’s Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB).

Identified by Thai media as Benny Kee Soon Chuan, the man was arrested by Thai authorities on Tuesday before being handed over to CNB. He is expected to face drug trafficking charges today.

CNB’s investigation linked him to two separate drug trafficking cases from December 2020 and November 2022. In those cases, two Singaporeans, aged 21 and 29 at the time of arrest, were charged with trafficking significant amounts of methamphetamine. The 21-year-old has since received a sentence of 22.5 years in prison and 15 strokes of the cane, while the 29-year-old was sentenced to eight years and seven strokes.

An arrest warrant had been issued for the 31-year-old man, suspected of supplying drugs to associates in Singapore. However, immigration records indicated that he left Singapore on April 11, 2016.

CNB collaborated with international partners to locate the suspect, who was found by Thai authorities in a residence in Samut Prakan, south of Bangkok. Reports indicated that he was “living in luxury” despite having no reported employment or income.

The man is alleged to have facilitated the shipment of drugs, including Ice, ketamine, and ecstasy, from Thailand to Singapore and Australia via international mail. During his arrest, Thai authorities seized assets valued at 15 million baht (approximately RM1.9 million), including Rolex watches, gold chains, rings, amulets, and various currencies.

It is believed that he entered Thailand using a passport from Vanuatu. 

CNB acting director Leon Chan expressed gratitude to their Thai counterparts for their cooperation and prompt action in returning the suspect to Singapore to face legal proceedings. Investigations into other members of the drug syndicate are still ongoing.