Difficulties With Drug Conspiracies in Singapore: Can You Conspire to Traffic Drugs to Yourself?
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Yang, Kenny
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If Person A delivers drugs to Person B at the latter's request, Person A is liable for drug trafficking-a serious offense in many jurisdictions. However, the liability of Person B for drug trafficking is unclear as much may depend on Person B's intention with the drugs. The Singaporean Courts recently had to grapple with this issue in Liew Zheng Yang v. Public Prosecutor and Ali bin Mohamad Bahashwan v. Public Prosecutor and other appeals. Prior to these two cases, the position in Singapore was clear-Person B should be liable for drug trafficking as an accessory to Person A, in line with Singapore's strong stance against drug offenses. However, since these cases, the Singaporean Courts have taken a contrary position and held that Person B may not be liable if the drugs were for his/her own consumption.