Prosecutors grant discharge not amounting to acquittal; man once facing death penalty walks free
A 32-year-old Singaporean man once facing the death penalty for drug trafficking will walk free after prosecutors applied for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal. The rare decision means he could still face prosecution if new evidence emerges.
Charges Suspended, Release Granted
On 8 September 2025, prosecutors applied for a discharge not amounting to an acquittal for Benny Kee Soon Chuan, a Singaporean accused of conspiring to traffic methamphetamine. This move halts proceedings but allows charges to be reinstated in future. Kee, detained since his deportation from Thailand in 2024, was expected to be released the same day.
Facing the Death Penalty
Kee had faced a capital charge that carried the mandatory death penalty if convicted of trafficking more than 250 grams of methamphetamine. Court documents revealed that in December 2020, a parcel containing over 2kg of Ice entered Singapore and was collected by an associate, allegedly at Kee’s direction.
Co-Conspirators Already Sentenced
Two alleged co-conspirators, Singaporeans aged 21 and 29 at the time of arrest, were charged separately. The younger man was sentenced to 22 years and six months in prison plus 15 strokes of the cane, while the other received eight years in prison and seven strokes of the cane.
Arrested Abroad, Deported to Singapore
Kee had fled Singapore in April 2016 and was on the run for years. In September 2024, Thai authorities arrested him in Samut Prakan province, seizing luxury cars, watches, and gold worth about 15 million baht (S$584,000). He was deported to Singapore on 19 September 2024 and placed in remand.
Defence and Prosecution Positions
Kee’s lawyer, Ramesh Tiwary, maintained his client’s innocence, saying Kee was “very grateful to be reunited with his family.” Meanwhile, the Attorney-General’s Chambers and Central Narcotics Bureau have not disclosed why the discharge was sought, leaving open the possibility of re-filing charges.
Implications for Drug Enforcement
The case highlights the complexities of Singapore’s strict anti-drug regime, where capital charges can hinge on cross-border evidence and conspiracy allegations. While Kee is temporarily free, the suspended charges keep his legal future uncertain and reinforce the government’s stance on pursuing major narcotics cases even years after they occur.
The release of Benny Kee marks a dramatic turn in one of Singapore’s most closely watched drug trafficking cases. While he escapes immediate execution risk, the non-acquittal discharge means the threat of renewed prosecution lingers. For Singaporeans, the case underscores both the rigidity and nuance of the nation’s zero-tolerance drug policies.
Sources: Must Share News (2025) , Mothership (2025)
Keywords: Singapore Drug Case, Benny Kee, Death Penalty Singapore, Drug Trafficking Charges, CNB Arrest, Thailand Deportation
