Drug trafficker in Singapore avoids death penalty by 0.01g, sentenced to 31 years' jail
Mesnawi Dahri was caught while in possession of not less than 14.99g of diamorphine, or 'pure heroin', for the purpose of trafficking. - Photo: ST
SINGAPORE: A 58-year-old man has been sentenced to 31 years' jail over drug trafficking offences that saw him avoid the death penalty by 0.01g.
Mesnawi Dahri was caught while in possession of not less than 14.99g of diamorphine, or 'pure heroin', for the purpose of trafficking.
He was originally charged with possessing at least 15g of diamorphine for the purpose of trafficking, according to court documents.
The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) state on its website that 15g of pure heroin is equivalent to 1,250 straws, which is sufficient to feed the addiction of about 180 abusers for a week.
The death penalty is mandatory for anyone found guilty of trafficking more than 15g of diamorphine or 250g of methamphetamine or more than 500g of cannabis.
The charge was later reclassified and changed to him possessing not less than 14.99g of diamorphine for the purpose of trafficking, with a maximum sentence of 30 years' jail, court documents showed.
Mesnawi pleaded guilty to a total of four charges on June 3. Three were for drug offences and the fourth was for money laundering.
Two other drug charges were taken into account for sentencing.
He was sentenced to 31 years' jail, which includes 10 weeks for the money laundering charge under the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act.
CNB officers arrested Mesnawi in Ang Mo Kio on Jan 27, 2023. About 713g of heroin and four Ecstasy tablets were seized from him.
He also had S$18,050 in cash, which were his benefits from his drug trafficking activities. The money has been forfeited to the state.
In a statement on June 11, CNB said the Government will continue to review and enhance laws to ensure they remain effective in addressing the evolving crime landscape, and are aligned with international standards.
Those who launder the benefits of drug dealing can be jailed for up to 10 years and fined up to $500,000.
Mesnawi, who was unrepresented, has filed an appeal against his sentence. - The Straits Times/ANN
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Probe into Daim's ‘undeclared assets' widens to 4 more countries
An MACC senior director, Zamri Zainul Abidin, confirmed the probe, but declined to comment further. PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has expanded its probe into allegedly undeclared assets linked to the late Daim Zainuddin to four more countries. An MACC source said the assets suspected as belonging to Daim's family and proxies were located in the US, Singapore, Japan, Italy, and the island of Jersey, a British crown dependency located off the coast of Normandy, France. The source said the anti-graft agency intends to apply for restraining orders in these countries to prevent the disposal or movement of the assets during investigations, Berita Harian reported. 'MACC has identified assets in several countries that were not declared during investigations conducted over the past few years. The next step is to secure restraining orders as part of further legal action,' the source was quoted as saying. MACC's senior director of the special operations division, Zamri Zainul Abidin, confirmed the matter but declined to comment further. Last month, MACC took action on several high-value assets in the UK and Malaysia associated with Daim and his family after receiving 'new information' from overseas. On June 3, MACC froze seven properties and a bank account in London believed to be worth £132 million (RM758.2 million), reportedly linked to Daim's widow, Naimah Khalid, and her family. The commission said its investigation found that the movable and immovable assets were relevant to an offence under the anti-money laundering act. However, on Monday, the Kuala Lumpur High Court stayed an earlier ex parte order to freeze the assets following an application by the former finance minister's widow. Two days later, MACC chief Azam Baki said UK authorities had agreed to enforce a restraining order on assets and properties there that were allegedly linked to Daim's family and associates. MACC has also filed an application in the High Court to forfeit Menara Ilham, a 60-storey tower in Kuala Lumpur linked to Daim.
Daily Express
3 hours ago
- Daily Express
Two arrested in Penampang, Putatan drug busts
Published on: Sunday, June 29, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jun 29, 2025 Text Size: PENAMPANG: Two individuals were arrested in separate drug raids in Penampang and Putatan involving suspected ecstasy and methamphetamine. On Friday, a 39-year-old man was detained outside a condominium in Penampang with six packets of suspected ecstasy powder weighing 228 grams. The estimated drug value was RM4,800, and the suspect is being investigated under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the death penalty or life imprisonment if convicted. In a separate operation on Saturday, a 35-year-old woman was arrested at a residential area in Putatan with over 5 grams of suspected syabu. Urine tests showed she tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine. She faces charges under Sections 39A(1) and 15(1)(a) of the same Act. 'We remain fully committed to the fight against drugs and urge the public to be our eyes and ears,' said Penampang District Police Chief Supt. Sammy Newton in a statement. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Public urged to steer clear of loan sharks after house fires
PUTRAJAYA: The public should turn to licensed moneylenders instead of loan sharks when seeking financial assistance, says Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming (pic). He said that licensed moneylenders registered under the Moneylenders Act 1951 (Act 400) are required to adhere to regulations set under the Act. 'Under the Act, the interest rate for unsecured loans must not exceed 18% per annum, and for secured loans, it must not exceed 12% per annum. 'Licensed moneylenders are also prohibited from charging interest that exceeds the principal amount. 'The Act also prohibits licensed moneylenders or their representatives from visiting the borrower's home or workplace to collect loan repayments,' he said in a statement, adding that the public could also report any violation of the law to his ministry or the police so that action can be taken immediately. 'The public is also advised to verify the status of licensed moneylenders registered with the ministry by calling directly or through the i-Kredikom mobile application.' Nga also urged the police to take firm and thorough action to put an end to loan shark operations once and for all. 'Ah long or loan sharks often take advantage of those in financial distress by trapping them in a violent debt cycle involving outrageous interest rates, harassment and violence. 'We urge the police to take firm and comprehensive action to eradicate such activities down to their roots,' he said, adding that his ministry takes such issues seriously. He was commenting on a fire incident that destroyed three houses in Taman Tasek Gelugor, Penang, on June 24, which was believed to be linked to loan shark activity. The fire reportedly broke out at around 4.50am and damaged three homes but caused no injuries.
