SINGAPORE — A Singaporean man who masterminded a plan to smuggle methamphetamine from Malaysia using a drone during the Covid-19 lockdown has been sentenced to 28 years and three months’ jail and 18 strokes of the cane, The Straits Times reported.
Yesterday, 34-year-old Helmie Shahrezza Shahrom was found guilty of importing controlled drugs into Singapore and consuming methamphetamine both inside and outside the country.
District Judge Jasvender Kaur said Helmie had played a leading role in devising and directing the cross-border operation, which used a drone to transport drugs from Malaysia at a time when pandemic restrictions had disrupted drug supplies.
Helmie was convicted of importing more than 180mg of methamphetamine and had 23 other charges — including drug trafficking — taken into consideration during sentencing.
The court heard that around April 2020, one of Helmie’s associates, Mohamad Hasri Ab Rahim, sought his help to obtain narcotics when supply chains were cut off.
Helmie then enlisted another man, Mohamad Shahrezza Mohammad Zuhri, to pilot the drone, while Mohammad Nazri Jumat attached the pouches of drugs in Malaysia. Hasri acted as lookout.
The group conducted the smuggling runs two to three times a week at Kranji Park, The Straits Times said.
Their scheme ended on June 17, 2020, when authorities detected a drone flying back into Singapore airspace over Kranji Reservoir Park. A pouch containing more than 180g of methamphetamine was found attached to it.
Helmie was arrested the same day and has been in remand since. His three accomplices were earlier sentenced to between 12- and 14-years’ jail and 10 strokes of the cane.
Helmie was the only one to claim trial, insisting he did not know the drone would be carrying drugs. During sentencing, he appeared in court wearing a purple prison jumpsuit and a bandage on his left hand, occasionally gesturing to friends and family in the gallery.
Judge Kaur noted that parity in sentencing did not apply as Helmie’s charge was more serious. His co-accused were convicted on reduced charges of importing about 166g of methamphetamine.
Helmie had also committed the offences while out on bail for two earlier drug-related cases, the judge added.
