A 32-year-old Singaporean, Benny Kee Soon Chuan, who was deported from Thailand and faced the death penalty in Singapore for alleged drug trafficking, is set to be released from remand after prosecutors applied for a discharge not amounting to acquittal on September 8. This means the charges are temporarily suspended, but Benny Kee could still be prosecuted if the charges are re-filed in the future.
Kee’s lawyer has maintained his client’s innocence and stated that Benny is “very grateful to be reunited with his family,” according to CNA.
Kee was charged with conspiring with Low En Quan Justin to traffic methamphetamine (“Ice”) in December 2020, despite Kee being overseas at the time. The case involves a parcel containing over 2 kilograms of methamphetamine sent to a shop at Orchard Towers and collected by Low, who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 22.5 years in jail and 15 strokes of the cane.
The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) stated that Benny Kee was allegedly involved in Low’s case and another trafficking operation in 2022, supplying drugs to associates in Singapore. An arrest warrant was issued against Kee, but he fled Singapore in 2016.
Kee was arrested by Thai authorities in September 2024 and deported back to Singapore, where he was placed in remand on September 20, 2024. Before his arrest, Kee reportedly lived lavishly in Thailand, with authorities seizing luxury items including a car, gold, watches, and bags from his residence.
Prosecutors have yet to clarify why the discharge not amounting to acquittal was sought. Benny Kee’s case remains open as authorities continue their investigations.
