Sep 3, 2010
Drug boss to hang
But his girlfriend escapes the gallows
<!-- by line --> By Selina Lum
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THE leader of a drug syndicate was yesterday sentenced to hang for trafficking in more than 60g of heroin, but his Thai girlfriend, who was tried on the same charge, escaped the gallows. The High Court believed the testimony of Phuthita Somchit, 35, who said in her defence that she knew she was dealing in drugs but that she did not know it was heroin.
Her boyfriend, Singaporean Quek Hock Lye, 45, did not put up any defence. Giving his decision yesterday after 17 days of hearing, Justice Lee Seiu Kin made the unusual move of stepping down her charge to attempting to traffic in a Class C drug, although the drug is still listed as heroin, which is under Class A.
After the charge was reduced, Deputy Public Prosecutor Stella Tan expressed her reservations about the amendment. She questioned why it was Class C - the least serious category under the Misuse of Drugs Act - and not Class B.
Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.
