Singapore jails man for hosting drug-fuelled birthday party that breached Covid-19 rules
- Edmund Zachary Ong was sentenced to jail for two years and one week for organising the event where 34 guests drank alcohol, sang karaoke and danced
The party came to a halt after the police raided the unit early the next morning and drugs were found in urine samples of 22 of the participants.
Edmund Zachary Ong Wei Ming, a 33-year-old Singaporean, had pleaded guilty in May to three charges of permitting his unit to be used for drug consumption, consuming a drug and permitting others to enter the unit for a birthday celebration during the pandemic.
Another two charges for consuming two other types of drugs were taken into consideration for sentencing.
Ong’s alleged co-host, 35-year-old Malaysian Jonathan Goh Wai Sern, is at large, with a warrant of arrest against him.
The pair had hosted a birthday party for another person from about 7pm on March 26, 2022, when Covid-19 restrictions were still in place.
The guests mingled, drank alcohol, sang karaoke, ate, danced and took drugs.
EVERY FRIDAY
Ong knew that drugs such as MDMA, GHB and ketamine were being consumed at the party, and admitted that there were a few cups of red wine mixed with crushed tablets of Ecstasy being passed around.
At about 6am the next day, the police turned up at the unit and arrested Ong and 35 other people. It was not stated how the authorities caught wind of the situation.
After his arrest, Ong gave two urine samples, which were found to contain norketamine, also known as K.
He also admitted to consuming Ecstasy or MDMA and G-water or GHB. He said he took the drugs as he was “stressed since before the Covid-19 pandemic”.
A total of 22 guests had also taken Ecstasy at the party, as seen in their urine test results.
A spokesperson for the Central Narcotics Bureau said all the individuals arrested for suspected drug abuse over this case “have been dealt with”.
Ong, who was defended by Kalidass Murugaiyan, appeared in court with a plaster over his right eye on Tuesday.
The court heard that Ong had a medical condition, but that the prison service had sent an email stating they had experience dealing with a variety of medical conditions and had an adequate healthcare system which included referrals to public healthcare institutions.
Ong confirmed that he was satisfied that the prison could deal with his undisclosed condition.
In sentencing, the judge said she had considered the case and found deterrence the predominant sentencing consideration.
A fine as sought by the defence would not be appropriate in this case, she said, imposing the jail term sought by the prosecution.
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