Overview

A Singaporean man, 31-year-old Benny Kee Soon Chuan, finds himself in a life-altering predicament after being charged with drug trafficking upon his return from Thailand. Kee was deported back to Singapore on September 19, after eluding authorities for several years. His capture stems from serious allegations linking him to two drug trafficking cases, raising concerns about the extent of his criminal activities.

Charges and Accusations

Kee is primarily accused of conspiring with accomplice Low En Quan Justin to traffic a substantial amount of methamphetamine. The alleged operation took place in early December 2020, while Kee was reportedly outside Singapore. Investigators say that Kee directed Low to collect a parcel containing 12 packets of meth, totaling more than 2 kilograms, which was supposed to be delivered to a recipient identified only as "Senthil Kumar" at a prominent shop in Orchard Towers.

Legal Repercussions for Accomplices

In a twist of fate, Justin was previously charged and pleaded guilty to attempting to traffic nearly 250 grams of meth. He has since been sentenced to more than 22 years in prison alongside 15 strokes of the cane—highlighting the severe legal repercussions faced by those caught in the web of drug trafficking.

Previous Criminal Activities

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) revealed that Kee is also implicated in a separate drug trafficking case from November 2022. A 29-year-old associate received an eight-year sentence related to this incident.

Kee's Lavish Lifestyle and Arrest

Kee's audacious lifestyle has raised eyebrows, as he reportedly enjoyed a lavish existence in a property located in Samut Prakan province, south of Bangkok. Thai authorities acted on a tip-off from the CNB, leading to his arrest on September 17, just two days before his deportation. The authorities discovered an impressive cache of luxury assets worth approximately 15 million baht (or around US$453,000) in his possession. The seized items included extravagant Rolex watches, gold jewelry, and a variety of currencies, showcasing the scale of his drug operations.

Evasion and International Drug Trade

Remarkably, Kee managed to evade capture for several years, having been away from Singapore since at least April 2016. His alleged operations extended beyond local borders, with reports suggesting he was also exporting drugs to Australia through international mail—a concerning sign of the global nature of illicit drug trafficking.

Potential Consequences

With his life now hanging by a thread, Kee was remanded on capital charges and will return to court on September 26. If convicted of conspiring to traffic in a Class A controlled drug, he faces the grim prospect of the death penalty—a fate that emphasizes the Singaporean government's strict stance against drug trafficking. This case serves as a chilling reminder of the life-altering consequences that come from engaging in such dangerous and illegal activities.